Schaumburg CAN support families making healthy choices
A group of Schaumburg organizations called Schaumburg CAN (Children – Activity – Nutrition) have teamed up to support families making healthy choices.
Its mission is to align the community around opportunities that build a foundation of healthy activity and nutrition for our children.
The Schaumburg CAN consortium includes the Campanelli YMCA, Alexian Brothers Hospital Network, Schaumburg Park District, School District 54, Village of Schaumburg, the District 54 PTA Council, Harper College, Schaumburg Township and Children's Home+Aid.
Childhood obesity is a national epidemic and data from Schaumburg Township mirrors national numbers.
During the 2010-11 school year, 28 percent of District 54 kindergarten students (361 students) were overweight, based on BMI (Body Mass Index) numbers provided by doctors on the health forms submitted to the schools. A BMI at or above the 85th percentile is considered overweight. During the same year, 38 percent (499 students) in sixth grade were overweight, based on the same health form data.
The organizations are committed to finding positive solutions to support and encourage those who live and work in Schaumburg to increase activity levels and improve nutrition.
YMCA of the USA, the national resource office for the nation's 2,687 YMCAs, selected Schaumburg as one of 16 communities in Illinois, Michigan and Ohio to build a statewide network for reducing childhood obesity through its Activate America: Statewide Pioneering Healthier Communities (PHC) initiative. The Campanelli YMCA applied for this program and was selected after a competitive review process.
“The Campanelli YMCA brought together this group of Schaumburg agencies because together we can make a difference in the lives of children,” said Gary Bublitz, CEO of the Campanelli YMCA.
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) committed $6.8 million over five years to support the expansion of Y-USA's PHC initiative. The Schaumburg team will receive funding over a two-year period to cover training and seed the implementation of a community action plan.
“By connecting the leaders who can affect change, communities are helping to make healthy behaviors an easier choice,” said Neil Nicoll, president and chief executive officer, YMCA of the USA.
According to Nicoll, reducing childhood obesity requires the combination of policy and environmental changes. Statewide PHC's team-based approach allows communities to provide a cohesive response to the lifestyle challenges in communities throughout the nation.
The following are some of the events our organizations have planned for the month of September:
• Village of Schaumburg's Septemberfest will include a Rotary-sponsored 5K and Kids Mile Fun Run on Monday, Sept. 5 (www.ci.schaumburg.il.us/HFun/September/Pages/SchaumburgShuffle5KRun.aspx).
• September - Walk to School Day – Sept. 29
• D54 and YMCA Run to Read on Sept. 25 (http://sd54.org/runtoread).
• Town Square Farmers Market (www.ci.schaumburg.il.us/HFun/Fun1/Pages/Farmers%20Market.aspx)
• Schaumburg Park District Family Fun Night from 6-8 p.m. Sept. 24 at the Sport Center. This free event includes structured and supervised sports (www.parkfun.com).
• G4K, the Park District's monthly television show taped with Whole Foods Market, kicks off its second season Sept. 14. The show features healthy snacks and exercise options for children age 8 to 13.