Local non-profit launches childhood obesity initiative

Unlimited Possibilities, Inc. launched a program to fight childhood obesity with a back-to-school celebration outside of their Palmetto Street headquarters Saturday.

In the past, the non-profit learning center has focused on computer literacy and interpersonal skills, but after seeing South Carolina's recent obesity statistics, UPI director Margaret Smith added one more objective to the center's goal of enriching the community.

In the coming months, their main program will be "Fighting to Reduce Obesity in our Kids."  At the event, UPI selected 10 children to participate in the program.

South Carolina is ranked 7th highest at 18.9 percent for childhood obesity in America, according to data from Trust for America's health. Fourteen percent of children in the state live in poverty, according to U.S. Census Bureau's numbers. Lower income is linked to higher rates of obesity.

Centers for Disease Control statistics from 2007 show the Pee Dee is ranked high for both obesity and diabetes rates. Obesity is a precursor to heart problems caused by high blood pressure and cholesterol, as well as social discrimination.

"Based on statistical data of the number of South Carolinians that were obese, we decided to target the entire state, more specifically low-income families in rural areas, " UPI said in a release about the program.

"We see a lot of programs that raise awareness about childhood obesity, but are not going any further," Smith said. The next step is practical application. 

Children registered for the back-to-school bash were eligible for a free health screening and calculation of their Body Mass Index (BMI).

BMI provides an estimate of a person's body fatness and is used to screen patients for weight-related health complications. More often, a person's BMI is used set goals for weight loss.

UPI used the information from the screenings to create a hyper local data set - painting a picture of childhood obesity in the Pee Dee.

Smith said the results of the screenings were telling. Of more than 400 children registered, 39 percent had childhood diabetes and many had BMIs greater than what the CDC indicate as normal. Eighteen percent of the children had asthma.

For each pound lost towards their healthy BMI, the "Fighting to Reduce Obesity in our Kids" program will add $20 to a savings account for each of the ten children.

"One thing that always gets people motivated is money," Smith said. "But they have to maintain their healthy BMI."

UPI will coach the children in healthy eating habits and options for physical activities.

The non-profit established a Community Awareness Team consisting of doctors, nurses, dieticians, weight trainers and pastors that will meet once per quarter to discuss the results of the data and adjust their ideas to best accomplish the organization’s goal of reducing child obesity throughout the state and the Pee Dee.

Once the child maintains their healthy BMI for six months, they will be awarded the money from the account. The six-month maintenance period is to give the child a chance to turn their healthy practices into habits and avoid diet fads.

"We want them to do this the right way," Smith said.

Twenty-nine percent of adults in South Carolina are obese, according to CDC numbers. Smith recently had Lap-Band surgery to help her deal with her own weight issues.

At a routine check-up before the surgery, her doctor told her a combination of high blood pressure and 80 percent blockage of two of her arteries put her at risk for major heart problems.

Smith has adjusted her eating and excersie routine.

"I was on my way out," she said. "As a last resort, I got the Lap-Band. We're doing this program to show children not to wait till the problem is this bad to do something."

Free school supplies were provided to participants who pre-registered and giveaways included a laptop and a desktop computer.

The children for the program have already been selected, but for more information on services provided by UPI contact their Florence office at (843) 407-6292.