Governor Nathan Deal launches landmark initiative to improve childhood fitness

Gov. Nathan Deal and the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) launched Georgia SHAPE, a statewide program merging governmental, philanthropic and academic and business communities to address childhood obesity, on May 23.

After weeks of hard work, the day went without a hitch as the Atlanta Falcons, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, state district health directors and other important leaders descended on the Capitol to show support.

Brenda Fitzgerald, M.D., Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Health discussed the myriad of health issues the state's children face.

 

Brenda Fitzgerald, M.D., Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Health talks to the media about the Georgia SHAPE initiative.

"Everyone in this room wants to see Georgia's children reach their full potential, and these children can't do so if they are facing increased rates of chronic hypertension, diabetes and heart disease," Fitzgerald said.

The evidence is clear that childhood obesity is a growing problem in the U.S. and an epidemic in Georgia-the state has the second worst rate for children ages 10-17. Nearly 40 percent of the children in our state are considered overweight or obese. Childhood obesity has serious immediate and long-term effects not only on health and well-being, but on the academic achievement of our children and the economy of our state.

Rashida Shoemaker, school program account manager for the Southeast United Dairy Industry Association, represented Fuel Up to Play 60 at the launch. An in-school wellness program supported by the NFL and the National Dairy Council, Fuel Up to Play 60 is designed to promote healthy eating and physical activity.  

They award grants-up to $4,000 per school year, per school-to fund wellness ideas. They only ask half be spent on healthy eating and the other half on physical activity.

"We really try to push that balance of the two and we also ask that it's student-driven," said Shoemaker.

"We want the students to come up with the ideas of how they see wellness in their school. They can't get behind something they don't understand and that they haven't had input in," Shoemaker said.

 

Homer, Atlanta Braves mascot, browses the newly launched Georgia Shape digital portal.

The launch of Georgia SHAPE also included the unveiling of a digital portal, one of many strategies aimed at addressing childhood obesity. One of the most exciting aspects of GeorgiaSHAPE.org is the fitness directory, where visitors can enter their zip code and the number of miles they are willing to travel. Based on the information provided, a list of area fitness programs will populate, along with details about each.

Additional strategies to combat childhood obesity are planned and include promoting breastfeeding, increasing physical activity and providing better nutritional options for students.  

Every effort will be made to support regulations that provide 30 minutes of daily physical activity for every student at school. And child care programs that implement specific wellness policies and other related training will earn the Governor's Award, which designates them as a Georgia SHAPE compliant facility. Developing a mini-grant program to provide resources for schools to employ innovative/evidence-based nutrition programs is also a priority.

"Students who are physically active and well-nourished tend to be better students with stronger academic performance and higher scores on standardized achievement tests," Fitzgerald said.

-Story by Nicole Price, DPH Communications