Eat Smart, Move More, Weigh Less is a 15-week weight management program that uses strategies proven to work. Each lesson informs, empowers and motivates participants to live mindfully as they make choices about eating and physical activity. The program provides opportunities for participants to track their progress and keep a journal of healthy eating and physical activity behaviors.

Eat Smart, Move More, Weigh Less is now available to ANYONE in a real-time, online format. These classes are held with a live instructor using synchronous distance-education technology. If you are interested in seeing how EASY, FUN, and CONVENIENT Eat Smart, Move More, Weigh Less Online is you can participate in a demo session every Tuesday at 2pm by clicking here. Members of the general public interested in participating in Eat Smart, Move More, Weigh Less Online can contact Kelly Nordby for more information. Eat Smart, Move More, Weigh Less in also available to the general public in onsite classes. You can contact the instructor trained in your county to find out when and where a class is taking place in your community by clicking here.

Members of The North Carolina State Health Plan for Teachers and State Employees have a few more options available to them-onsite AND online classes. In-person, onsite classes with an instructor are available in five target counties - Guilford, Mecklenburg, Orange, Pitt and Wake. If your worksite or school is in one of these counties and there are at least 15 interested employees, a class can be scheduled at your site during an upcoming class series. Please contact Jamie Pittman for additional details about scheduling a class. Due to funding by The North Carolina State Health Plan for Teachers and State Employees the cost of attending the program is $30 per participant (for both ONLINE and ONSITE). The program fee includes the cost of program magazine and journal. A $25 refund is provided to all those who attend at least 10 of the 15 class sessions.

For more information please visit our website: Eat Smart, Move More, Weigh Less.

The school bell will be ringing soon so let's get started on that Back to School "to-do" list now.
 

1. Shots. Kids don't like them but immunizations are a fact of life and actually a good thing. Immunizations protect children from serious, life-threatening diseases.

Some immunizations are required by law (like the Tdap shot for rising 6th graders if the child has not received the vaccination since 2006). Some are recommended. Ask your child's pediatrician or call us for a list of vaccines (641-3245). Or visit our website at Guilford Health and click on the Immunization link on the home page. If you have questions about immunizations, please contact our Medical Director, Dr. Ward Robinson at Ask Guilford Health. Be sure to record all your child's immunizations on the shot card. You will need to show this at your child's school.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the gap between immunization rates in minority and white populations has been narrowed, but there are still disparities among many racial, ethnic, and underserved populations. Overall, 90% of all children get the shots they need, but we still want the children who make up the last 10% protected! Be sure to get your children vaccinated.

2. Physical Exam. If you have a child who will be starting kindergarten, a physical exam by a health care provider is required by law. A special form is needed to record the exam findings. Contact your child's school for this form. Be ready to give the completed and signed form to the school. Visits to the doctor can be limited by access to the service and finances. If your child does not have a doctor or you need assistance in applying for financial assistance to pay for provider visits, contact the local Department of Social Services office.

A dental exam is not required for school entrance, but it is a good idea. The Health Department can provide services for eligible children up to age 21. Call our office today for information or to schedule an appointment (Greensboro 641-3152, High Point 641-7733). 

Guilford County Department of Public Health and Guilford County Schools are informing parents who have a child entering the sixth grade this fall that there is one vaccination required by law for school attendance. The vaccination is Tdap. Tdap stands for tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis.

According to North Carolina law, children who are entering the 6th grade in public school on or after August 1, 2008 or who are 12 years of age on or after August 1, 2008, and entering non-public school, must have a Tdap booster shot if five or more years have passed since their last dose of this vaccine. This vaccine must be documented on the child's shot record for school attendance. Students who do not have this required vaccination by the thirtieth day of school attendance will be suspended until proof of vaccination is provided to the child's school.

Appointments for the Tdap vaccination are available at both Health Department locations, 1100 E. Wendover Avenue, Greensboro and 501 E. Green Drive, High Point.

For an appointment at either location, call 641-3245. Spanish speakers who wish to secure an appointment at the High Point location should call 641-4591. Ask about cost when you call. The Tdap vaccination is also available at the child's pediatrician's office.

Please bring your child's shot record and insurance card, if any, to the clinic of your choice.

Tdap vaccine can protect adolescents and adults against three serious diseases. Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis are all caused by bacteria. Diphtheria and pertussis are spread from person to person.

Tetanus enters the body through cuts, scratches, or wounds. Tetanus, also known as Lockjaw, causes painful tightening of the muscles, usually all over the body. It can lead to "locking" of the jaw so the victim cannot open his mouth or swallow. Tetanus leads to death in up to 2 cases out of 10.  

Diphtheria causes a thick covering in the back of the throat. It can lead to breathing problems, paralysis, heart failure, and even death.

Pertussis, also known as Whooping Cough, causes severe coughing spells, vomiting, and disturbed sleep. It can lead to weight loss, incontinence, rib fractures and passing out from violent coughing, pneumonia, and hospitalization due to complications.

For more information about Tdap or any childhood immunization, contact Guilford County Department of Public Health: Guilford Health. 

With summer coming to an end everyone's schedule should be revisited. Here are some tips you can use to ease your family back into the new school year:

1. Establish a bedtime routine. A few weeks before school starts re-establish the bedtime routine.

2. Start using a calendar. Especially if your children can read this is a great tool to put up in a central location where all members of the family can see when homework, TV, baths and bedtime are scheduled as well as other activities.

3. Plan meals for the week ahead of time. Take an hour on the weekend to plan the week's meals with the family. This will keep the kids engaged in their nutrition plus give them their favorite meals to look forward to!

4. Adjust chores and responsibilities. Many families use the start of school as an opportunity to re-evaluate household chores and responsibilities. With the new school year and possible new school schedule, you may need to adjust who does what and when.

For more Back to School tips visit: Back to School .

It is time to register for the Run 4 the Greenway!Race. Registration for the 8K & 1 Mile Walk/Run on September 10^th is now open. Do you have several friends who would like to form a team? Don't wait-call your friends now! To register visit Greenway.

The 1 Mile Walk/Run will begin at 5:15 pm, and the 8K at 5:45 pm. The 8K will feature an urban loop following the Downtown Greenway detour route through the first constructed phase of the Greenway. The Party in Center City Park will be a great time for all! There will be great food and lots of activities for children.

This is just a friendly reminder that the Guilford Coalition on Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention (GCAPP) has our annual conference coming up on October 20^th from 8:15 am to 3:00 pm at the UNCG Elliott University Center. The theme is Communicating With Gen Y.

GCAPP is a local, countywide membership organization that focuses on the issues of adolescent pregnancy, pregnancy prevention and adolescent parenting. Members include educators, healthcare providers, human service providers, faith based organization representatives, program administrators, policy-makers, parents and adolescents from the community.

"The Guilford Coalition on Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention (GCAPP) exists to increase community awareness and involvement in the prevention of adolescent pregnancy by discovering practical solutions, building alliances and strengthening Guilford County's social and economic future."

Obtain the registration form at GCAPP. Double click "2011 Conference Brochure" and print form. Submit form and check by October 19^th. GCAPP looks forward to seeing you all in the upcoming months.

Linda DeShazo, GCAPP Executive Director

Guilford Coalition on Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention 

Apply for the National PTA� Healthy LifestylesSM grants today! National PTA will award up to 10 grants of up to $1,000 each!

Grant Overview: National PTA Healthy Lifestyles Program promotes good nutrition and regular physical activity in order to address the nation's childhood obesity epidemic. One-third of American children are either obese or at risk of becoming obese. Increased access to high-calorie good-tasting, inexpensive foods, along with increasingly sedentary lifestyles, has contributed to the rise in childhood obesity. The reduction and elimination of recess in as many as 40 percent of U.S. school districts has limited students' physical activity during the school day. Furthermore, consistent findings show that obesity is often associated with poor levels of academic achievement.

Deadline: Friday, September 2, 2011 at 5 p.m. EDT. Applications must be submitted online. View the application and eligibility page for more information: Healthy Lifestyles Grants .

PTAs can play an important role in increasing physical activity and improving nutrition in the school community by engaging families, teachers, administrators and students in programs and activities that encourage the school community to be active and to eat healthier foods.

National PTA's Healthy Lifestyles Program is sponsored by Malt-O-Meal�, a Proud National Sponsor of National PTA. Questions about the grant, the application, or funding decisions should be directed to National PTA's Healthy Lifestyles Program Specialist at Healthy Lifestyles or (800) 307-4PTA (4782).