Lincoln County Healthcare, the parent company of Miles and St Andrews Hospitals, received the first of three $50,000 grants from MaineHealth to implement and promote the nationally recognized Let’s Go anti childhood obesity program.
It is the first member hospital outside of Greater Portland chosen as dissemination site for the organizations multi-tiered, community based campaign to prevent and control the epidemic of childhood obesity.
“This problem trumps illiteracy and mirrors poverty,” explained Let’s Go medical director Victoria Rogers during a presentation Thursday afternoon at Miles Memorial Hospital.
According to the Center for Disease Control, childhood obesity has tripled in the past thirty years from 6.5 percent to a whopping 19.6 percent. Locally 30 percent of Lincoln County students are considered overweight or obese compared to the state average of 26 percent. In addition to psychological effects such as low self-esteem, obesity sharply increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol. Inactivity combined with poor diet has fueled the problem.
Experts also cite heavy usage of video games, increased food portions, and a general lack of knowledge concerning nutrition as major factors.
“We need to stop using food as a reward,” warned Vice President of community health Deborah Deatrick, “This is why we target not only the children but the parents as well.”
The Let’s Go program preaches a consistent message of 5-2-1-0; five or more fruits and vegetables, two hours or less of recreational screen time, one hour of physical activity, and zero sugary drinks. The three part strategy as outlined in their mission statement includes education at the clinical level, community involvement, and lobbying efforts which have not, according to Deatrick, “gone anywhere” beyond nutritional labeling.
Besides having a MaineHealth member hospital, Lincoln County met or exceeded the specific criteria for selection with its strong senior leader support from a clinical level, established working relationships with community partners, and availability of “in-kind” resources.
The popular walking initiative, most recently dubbed “Surfing To Sydney,” is just one of the many local initiatives to combat the inactivity of local youth. Healthy Lincoln County was also the recipient of a Maine Health Access Foundation grant and a sustained “farm to table” nutrition effort will reach local schools beginning Sept. 1.
“This area is full of amazing champions already doing amazing work,” Rogers explained.
By creating a concerted, multi sector approach, Let’s Go begins at the home and works its way through the workplace, schools, and primary care givers. It aims to change the culture that contributes to obesity through simple educational models and interesting outreach programs.
Though not connected, the nationally recognized Let’s Go model shares a philosophical kinship with First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move campaign. Both preach the value of physical exercise and healthy diet but the grassroots emphasis MaineHealth places is unique. Rallying a community and culture presents a formidable challenge but according to Rogers, “Lincoln County is ahead of the game.”
The initial $50,000 will be used for education and resources with an eye toward creating a full time staff position in the near future. Subsequent grants of $50,000 will be distributed over the next two years depending on availability of funds and satisfactory performance by the grantee. The additional support provides an umbrella for the existing efforts and creates a “unified message” according to Lincoln County pediatrician Steven Feder.
Initially concerned over the amount of work involved, Lincoln County Healthcare CEO James Donovan changed his mind “because of the response I received from the staff. This is a vital issue.”
The hopes are for a continued and sustained effort that will change attitudes for generations to come. Added Deatrick before presenting the grant check, “it’s not about fat kids, it’s about the entire community. Small incremental changes that are empowering not limiting.”