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MODEL CHILDHOOD OBESITY PREVENTION PROGRAM COMES TO DC!

An epidemic of childhood obesity is sweeping our country—and our Washington, DC metropolitan region. This fall, a model program that responds to this crisis is coming to the region for the first time. The Healthy Kids DC! program has proven to be highly effective intervention working to counter that epidemic in California. Now, the Joy of Sports Foundation (JSF) and the Friendship Public Charter School System are partnering to bring Healthy Kids DC! to 300+ students at Woodbridge Elementary in Northeast Washington, DC.

Healthy Kids DC! is a multi-faceted approach to combating obesity and promoting health. The program at Woodridge Elementary will include PE classes, nutritional education, after-school programs, and parent and teacher trainings. This same approach has produced successful results in California children who participated in Healthy Kids!. A formal evaluation at Harvard University showed participating children increased their levels of physical activity and self-confidence and decreased Body Mass Index (the primary measure for obesity).

“Obesity takes an enormous toll on children’s health and self-esteem,” says Joy of Sports President Andrew Oser. “It’s vital that kids develop habits of regular physical activity and healthy eating as early as possible.”

“We are pleased to be in partnership with Joy of Sports”, says Barry Lofton, Community Resource Director with the Friendship Public Charter Schools. “Together we will assure that DC youth, their parents, and their teachers have every opportunity to be aware of how they can be better engaged and informed on important issues of health and fitness”.

Chosen for the pilot program of Healthy Kids DC!, the Woodridge campus of the Friendship Public Charter School system has distinguished itself in the academic arena by providing an environment that maintains high standards of excellence in a safe and nurturing environment. Love of learning, character education, and career development exploration are the cornerstones of the school system.

JSF’s mission is to inspire at-risk children to grow healthy in body, mind, and spirit by teaching them critical life success skills through sports and education. Utilizing a variety of sport-based programs designed to appeal to different age groups and to reach the broadest audience possible, JSF directly serves thousands of at-risk children in the Washington, DC metropolitan area every year. We are honored that our programs have been recognized as models by the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, and the United States Tennis Association. Additionally, the White House has recognized JSF as a Point of Light in appreciation of our service to at-risk children.

JSF and the Friendship Public Charter School system would like to thank CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield and the Friedman Billings Ramsey Foundation for initial support and funding to develop and launch Healthy Kids DC!.

For more information on the Healthy Kids DC! Program, please contact:

Jonathan Wright
Regional Program Coordinator
Joy of Sports Foundation
jonathan @joyofsports.org
202-548-0185