Rear Admiral Steven K. Galson Presents “Champion Award” to Kids First at Curvin McCabe School; Holds Roundtable and Presents “Champion Award” to Davis Park Revitalization Project in Afternoon

On Friday, March 27, Rear Admiral Steven K. Galson, Acting U.S. Surgeon General, spent the second day of his Rhode Island visit highlighting the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Childhood Overweight and Obesity Prevention Initiative while honoring two local organizations and learning about Rhode Island efforts to promote healthier lifestyles for children.

Admiral Galson has been in Rhode Island since Wednesday night at the invitation of Governor Donald L. Carcieri and First Lady Suzanne O. Carcieri, who have both advocated for wellness and healthy lifestyle choices for children and adults throughout Governor Carcieri’s six years in office. The Surgeon General is touring states to promote the Healthy Youth for a Healthy Future Initiative, which recognizes communities and organizations that are engaged in collaborative effort to create a healthier environment for children and while teaching children to live active lives and eat healthy foods.

The Surgeon General attended a 9:30 a.m. celebratory event at the Curvin McCabe Elementary School at 466 Cottage Street in Pawtucket to present a Healthy Youth for a Healthy Future Champion Award to Kids First, and to speak with students about the importance of eating healthy, staying physically active, and making wise lifestyle choices. Governor Carcieri presented a proclamation declaring March 27 “Healthy Youth Day”. Pawtucket Red Sox mascot Paws was on hand to help finish the event with a physical activity for students.

Kids First is a non-profit organization that coordinates the Rhode Island Healthy Schools Coalition, among many other activities to promote the availability of better nutrition and physical activity options for children in the schools and the community. The organization has organized numerous organizations and children’s health advocates in successful efforts to pass a healthy snacks and beverages law for schools, require stricter nutritional guidelines in the schools, and pass legislation to improve physical education program in the schools. Kids First provides technical assistance to district wellness committees, runs hundreds of educational workshops, and offers an annual marketplace event to bring vendors of healthful products together.

At 12:30 in the afternoon, Rear Admiral Galson held a Roundtable at the Rhode Island Department of Health auditorium to meet with community leaders about childhood obesity prevention, to learn about existing prevention efforts in Rhode Island, and to stimulate a discussion about engaging new partners and strengthening community partnerships. Director of Health David Gifford moderated panel presentations and group discussion after remarks from the Surgeon General, Governor Carcieri, and Mrs. Carcieri.. Representatives of the Davis Park Revitalization Project were honored with the day’s second Healthy Youth for a Healthy Future Champion Award.

Childhood obesity is a major public health issue in Rhode Island that puts youth at risk for the early onset of chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers. 40% of Rhode Island seventh graders are overweight or obese, and 36% percent of children ages two to five years old enrolled in the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program in Rhode Island are overweight or obese. 27% of high school students are overweight or obese.

“If Rhode Island could achieve the designation of the first Well State in the United States as a result of dedicated efforts to promote worksite wellness for adults, there is no reason why we cannot make similar strides in advancing the health of our children,” said Governor Carcieri. “Our efforts to prevent childhood obesity and develop healthy lifestyles in children will result in lower healthcare costs and a better quality of life for youth down the road.”

Rhode Island Department of Health (HEALTH) Director David R. Gifford, M.D., MPH, who is charged with carrying out Governor Carcieri’s health and wellness initiatives, has made childhood obesity one of the department’s leading priorities. HEALTH’s initiatives focus on improving social and physical environments to make healthy eating and active living easier for Rhode Island individuals and families. The department’s Initiative for a Healthy Weight and its Healthy Eating and Active Living Collaborative have developed workplans and engaged numerous community partners in workgroups to improve the eating and exercise habits of youth.

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