Saving Our Children's Future
Greaux Healthy
Pennington Biomedical’s bold initiative to reduce childhood obesity through statewide partnerships based on scientifically proven obesity treatment and prevention programs.
Obesity must be recognized as a complex disease that directly imperils our children and grandchildren.
What You Should Know About Childhood Obesity
It's a Disease
Children with obesity have brains and bodies that have been rewired to gain weight and keep it on. They also live in a world that surrounds them with unhealthy foods and activities.
It's Not Inevitable
Scientists have proven that realistic strategies, like limiting consumption of sugar sweetened beverages, increasing regular physical activity, and reduced sedentary activity, can reduce the risk of children developing obesity.
It's Not Harmless
Seven out of ten children with obesity grow up to be adults with obesity. Those adults go on to have a higher risk of type 2 diabetes, cancer, heart disease, dementia and stroke.
It's Not Funny
The belittling treatment that children with obesity endure, from children and adults alike, can create scars that last a lifetime.
It's Not all Bad News
Childhood obesity is preventable. Family members, caregivers and other role models play a part in helping children make healthy choices. We can reverse the trend!
A Comprehensive Approach to Childhood Obesity
Pennington Biomedicals’s Greaux Healthy Initiative Identifies Four Priority Populations
Expectant Families and Parents of Infants
Research shows the risk of childhood obesity begins before birth, making an expectant mother’s healthy pregnancy weight and optimal infant feeding practices, critical early interventions against childhood obesity.
Pre-school Age Children
(2 - 5 years)
Childcare/early education settings will offer opportunities to implement structured evidence-based obesity prevention curricula and activities.
School Age Children
(6 - 12 Years)
Healthy eating, physical activity and weight-loss interventions adapted for school children’s “real world” life are introduced.
Adolescents
(13 - 18 Years)
Working with adolescents to modify behaviors associated with adult obesity and offering bariatric surgery for certain adolescents with severe obesity will avoid debilitating chronic diseases in adulthood.
