CAN DO Houston C hildren A nd N eighbors D efeat O besity Addressing Childhood Obesity One Neighborhood at a Time

1. CAN DO HoustonChildren And Neighbors Defeat ObesityAddressing Childhood Obesity One Neighborhood at a Time Beverly J. Gor, EdD, RD, LD, Postdoctoral Fellow Niiobli Armah IV, Program Coordinator University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Department of Health Disparities Research Center for Health Equity and Evaluation Research Healthy Kids, Healthy Communities Program Director

2. The Problem: Childhood Obesity • 19% are overweight (BMI>85% to <95%) • 27% of fourth graders are obese (BMI>95%) • 2 million Houston residents: 49% Anglo, 37% Hispanic, 25% African American, 5% Asian • Minority communities greater risk of childhood obesity, heart disease, stroke, asthma, type 2 diabetes, depression, cancer • More fast food restaurants • Only 6 acres of park/1000 residents • Approximately 30% uninsured

3. Why we should care: Cost • Obesity costs Texas businesses $3.3 Billion “Counting Costs and Calories: Measuring the Cost of Obesity to Texas Employers,” Susan Combs, Texas Comptroller, March, 2007

4. Why we should care: Children

5. What is CAN DO Houston? • Holistic community-based program to prevent and diminish childhood obesity • Target group is children 0 – 12 years of age and their caregivers • Recognition that our mission will require a multi-dimensional approach • Programs are delivered in schools, after-school, worksites, community centers, recreation parks, faith community, and home environments • Physical activity, nutrition and healthy minds

6. How it all began Mission: To prevent and diminish childhood obesity in Houston and surrounding communities through physical activity, nutrition, and healthy minds by enabling the broadest collaboration of individuals, institutions, and organizations.

7. Board of Directors, 2011 • Chair: Dr. Lovell Jones, UTMDACC • Immediate Past Chair: Christine Mei, Coca Cola Minute Maid • Secretary: Dr. Nancy Murray, Retired, UTSPH • Treasurer: Bill Baun, UTMDACC • Member: Doug Earle, First Colony Civic Assn • Member: Juan Gonzalez, HISD Principal • 2 Board Member Vacancies

8. CAN DO Houston is About Mobilizing & Coordinating Existing Resources • Coca Cola Minute Maid Foods • Houston Area Dietetic Association • Baylor College of Medicine/Children’s Nutrition Research Center • City of Houston Health & Human Services • City of Houston Parks & Recreation • Houston Independent School District • WIC • M.D. Anderson Center for Health Equity & Evaluation • UT School of Public Health • Children at Risk • Houston Police Department • METRO • Recipe for Success • Texans Together • Gateway to Care • Channel 8 KUHT • Collaborative for Children • And others……

9. Previous solution: Diet books and pedometers

10. Traditional Health Promotion Previous solution: Only individual responsibility Achieve physical activity recommendations/ Meet dietary guidelines Traditional Approach Community Barriers

11. Active Living/ Healthy Eating Better solution: Individual in healthier environment Community Design Approach Community Barriers

12. CAN DO Houston • Magnolia Park • Briscoe Elementary • Mason Park • Sunnyside • Young Elementary • Sunnyside Park • Northside • Lyons Elementary • SPARK Park • Fifth Ward • Bruce Elementary • Swiney Park • Independence • Heights • Burrus Elementary • IndHts Park FIFTH WARD INDEPENDENCE HEIGHTS NORTHSIDE MAGNOLIA PARK SUNNYSIDE

13. Magnolia Park/Lawndale Wayside • 21,302 residents: 96% Hispanic • 31% earn < poverty level • <50% employed • Briscoe Elementary • Mason Park

14. Environments that support sedentary behavior

15. Briscoe After School Soccer Leagues

16. After school bus transportation to Mason Park

17. Briscoe Fitness Explosion: 9/10/09 UH students quiz Briscoe students on nutrition questions CAN DO Houston volunteer recruiting interested parents

18. Briscoe Fitness Explosion: 9/10/09 ZUMBA!

19. Sunnyside • One of the oldest African American communities in Houston • 18,629 residents: 94% African American • 38% earn < poverty level • <50% employed • Young Elementary • Sunnyside Park

20. Environments that support poor diet

21. Environments that support healthy eating

22. Sunnyside Nutrition Carnival

23. Cooking classes for parents at Wilmington Apartment Complex

24. Northside Village (Near Northside) • 29,923: 78% Hispanic/Latino • 45% earn < poverty level • 34% employed, 7% unemployed, 31% retired, 18% homemakers, 12% unable • Lyons Elementary • Spark Park

25. Better quality of life

26. Cooking classes for parents

27. School Garden at Lyons Elementary

28. Community Garden

29. Other Activities at Lyons • Renovation of their SPARK Park • Creation of a Wellness Room for school staff, students and community members

30. Easier Said than Done… Physical Inactivity Economic Status Education Race and Ethnicity Health Work Active Living Healthy Eating Community Income Housing Early Life Experience

31. Future Directions • Magnolia: expanding garden, aerobic classes for parents, increasing use of existing PA • Sunnyside: leadership and advocacy skills for residents, food co-ops, produce in convenience stores • Northside: leadership & advocacy skills for residents, greenhouse, including special needs kids • Fifth Ward: providing PA at Bruce elementary, healthy lifestyle classes for parents • officials to implement a comprehensive plan for joint use policies • Independence Heights: community assessments, meetings with stakeholders • For all communities: • Evaluation with stakeholders • Support for community gardens/farmers markets, physical activity • Technical assistance to partner organizations • Meeting with elected officials to discuss joint use policies

32. How to support CAN DO Houston • Become a CAN DO Houston partner • Identify funding: assist with fundraising, grant writing • Volunteer with CAN DO Houston • Technical assistance: public relations, research, meeting with stakeholders • Identify resources: excess produce, PA equipment, “give-aways”

33. Questions? THANK YOU!