Community Healthcare Network's Statement on Drop in National Children's Obesity Rate


New York, N.Y. (February 25, 2014) - Catherine Abate, President and CEO of Community Healthcare Network (CHN), today issued the following statement after federal authorities announced a substantial drop in the nation's obesity rate among children between the ages of 2 and 5 years old:

 

"Bad habits develop early, so this news is both astounding and optimistic. As a city and nation, we have confronted an obesity epidemic that for too long has appeared to be spiraling out of control. Today's news is a clear sign that by devoting resources to raise awareness and target people's habits early on, we can make a difference.

 

Obesity has become one of the greatest health crises of our time and healthcare organizations and advocates like Community Healthcare Network continue to be on the frontlines of fighting this epidemic. Today's announcement shows progress in keeping off the pounds for a lifetime of better health, and for many people, longer lives."

 

CHN's Director of Nutrition, Maegan Ratliff reasoned there could be a number of factors that triggered the drop including healthy nutrition education for parents and the implementation of community and school and after-school-based exercise programs. She also noted that the elimination of many school's vending machines stocked with sugary drinks and processed snacks, and a better knowledge overall of the importance of staying active and eating more "whole" foods like fruits and vegetables throughout the day, may have added to the rate drop.

 

About Community Healthcare Network

Community Healthcare Network (CHN) is a not-for-profit organization providing access to affordable, culturally-competent and comprehensive community-based primary care, dental, nutrition, mental health and social services for diverse populations in underserved communities throughout New York City. CHN serves more than 75,000 individuals a year who would otherwise have little or no access to critical health care. CHN is composed of eleven Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and NCQA designated Level 3 Patient Centered Medical Homes (PCMH) and a mobile health unit. CHN earned Meaningful Use attestation for the advanced state of its Health Information Technology (Electronic Health Records).To learn more about CHN visit our website at www.chnnyc.org or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Stay Connected to CHN!

Facebook   Twitter   LinkedIn    View our videos on YouTube