By Natasha Ashenhurst
One in three children in the United States is overweight, or on the brink of becoming so, according to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey that tracks health trends. Researchers are gradually becoming aware of the gravity of the risks that these children face: high blood pressure and cholesterol that are risk factors for cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, breathing problems, joint problems, as well as social struggles such as discrimination and poor self- esteem, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
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his national problem is getting some local attention at Boys & Girls Clubs of Thurston County, an organization that serves Kindergarten through 12th grade children at club locations in Lacey, Rochester, Olympia, and Tumwater.
“This is a desperate situation,” said Joseph Ingoglia, CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Thurston County. “Our club works to promote healthy life skills, one of our core initiatives, which includes promoting healthy eating habits and encouraging recreational fitness programs,” he said.
Boys & Girls Club of America has a Triple Play curriculum that local clubs can adopt. The goal of the program is to “improve Club members’ knowledge of healthy habits; increase the number of hours per day they participate in physical activities; and strengthen their ability to interact positively with others and engage in positive relationships,” according to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America website.
“Healthy Habits is a program that emphasizes good nutrition, regular physical activity, and improving overall well-being,” said Monica Langford, Director of the Tumwater Club. Fitness is one part of this program. The kids have opportunities to participate in jump rope contests, ultimate Frisbee, basketball, or mountain biking.
The clubs have found that partnerships with individuals and businesses within the community are an important component the program’s success. The Olympia Orthopaedic Associates Cycling Team is one example of businesses collaborating with the clubs. “Olympia Orthopaedics has a biking team that donated bikes and coaching to the club, then they meet up with the kids every week at Capitol Forest to ride together. Groups like this give the kids opportunities they don’t normally have,” said Ingoglia.
The kids at the Lacey Club recently had a visit from the Seahawks Seagals to promote a Subway Fresh Fit video and poster competition. “The competition is designed to help increase awareness of the childhood obesity epidemic, and spotlight the creative and fun ways kids are staying healthy and fit,” said Sarah Austin, Marketing Coordinator for Boys & Girls Clubs of Thurston County. “The kids had a great time learning cheers from the Seagals. It was a lot of fun and engaging,” Austin said.
Healthy eating is another component of the Healthy Habits program. At the clubs, the kids work with staff to prepare a healthy snack, all the while discussing healthy eating habits that they can adopt at home. “The staff works hard to make it fun,” Ingoglia said. “Kids vote with their feet. If they don’t have fun, then they don’t have to participate,” he said.
Kids also get a chance to grow their own food at the Lacey and Tumwater Clubs, thanks to community involvement. “Ron Lawson, Lacey City Councilman, found funding to build garden beds and buy the soil for the gardens at these clubs,” said Ingoglia.
Slow Foods Olympia, a group that “links the pleasure of food with a commitment to community and the environment” joined this effort by sharing vegetable starts with the clubs. “Slow Food’s focus is in keeping the gardens growing through showing the children the delights of nurturing their food from seed to harvest, and in demonstrating healthy ways to prepare simple meals and snacks from their harvest,” said Ginny Codd of Slow Food.
“They really like gardening,” said Ingoglia. “Kids who won’t go near a vegetable eat kale because they grew it.”
Statistics show that 80% of the kids who attend the Boys & Girls Clubs will stay in Thurston County as adults.
When groups like Boys & Girls Clubs of Thurston County partner with local businesses, other non-profits and caring individuals, they can make a bigger impact in development and encouraging healthy eating habits, an active lifestyle and overall well-being.
“The more we can do to help develop good skills and habits, the more we help give back to the community,” summarized Ingoglia.
