April 22 Community Forum Addresses Challenges Families Face with Obesity
4/21/2005
Addressing issues of obesity for families in Wake County is the focus of the seventh annual Wide-A-Wake Community Forum, Friday, April 22, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at N.C. State University's McKimmon Center. Sponsored by Wake County Human Services, the theme for the one-day interactive event is "Wake Up! Shape Up! Part II" and focuses on the growing problem of obesity within society, with an emphasis on families and children being increasingly overweight.
Former U.S. Assistant Surgeon General Dr. Susan Blumenthal is the keynote speaker. Blumenthal is an internationally recognized medical expert on public health issues such as disease and violence prevention along with cancer and women's health. She will speak at 9 a.m. on "Facing the Challenges of Obesity." Blumenthal has also served as a Rear Admiral and Senior Medical and E-Health Advisor in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as well as a health columnist for U.S. News and World Report.
During lunch, a team of local leaders and health experts will conduct a panel discussion on the issues surrounding obesity in Wake County. This is the second year that the annual forum has focused on this rising health epidemic and its impact.
"We encourage anyone interested in learning how to address the causes of obesity along with seeking solutions for individuals and families to attend this event," said Dave Moore, director of Wake County's Health Promotion and Disease Prevention (HPDP) program. "The forum provides a wide variety of topics and learning opportunities along with exhibits from sponsors. Participants should leave feeling energized with creative ideas to help address this emerging public health problem."
In the afternoon, communicating with Hispanic and Latino families will be the featured session. Fiorella Horna-Guerra, founder of Latin Life in Cary, will be speak on "Feeling Invited—Listening, Learning about Latinos" from 2:30 to 4:15 p.m. Participants will learn about differences within the Hispanic/Latino population and how to understand the importance of family within this culture, while enhancing communication skills and outreach efforts. Additional concurrent sessions on health and fitness topics will be held throughout day. Admission to the forum is $50 per person. The registration deadline is April 15.
In addition to the forum, two preliminary events – one for teenagers; the other for children, ages 5-12, and their parents – will be held April 20 and 21.
On Thursday, April 20, Domino Day at Pullen Park, from 3:30 to 6 p.m., is the first of the pre-forum events. Domino Day is a long-standing drug- and alcohol-free event for teens, conducted annually through Raleigh Parks & Recreation and Haven House. This year's focus will be on healthy activities and fitness. The event includes a hunt for 10,000 dominos, and organizers anticipate involving 400 to 600 Wake County teens. Wake County Human Services, through its HPDP program, will sponsor a tent that includes an interactive dance floor, Blue Cross/Blue Shield's "Be Active North Carolina" van and a personal trainer, who will lead teens in fun exercise routines. Pedometers, Frisbees and squeeze stress balls will be given out as incentives.
The second pre-forum event is Family Fun Fitness Night, Thursday, April 21, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., at the YWCA of the Greater Triangle, 1012 Oberlin Road, Raleigh. The event is free and open to the public. Featured activities include the Be Active North Carolina van, snack stations and activities for children ages 5-12 and their parents. The Bouncing Bulldogs jump rope team will perform at 6:30 p.m., followed by an appearance and talk by Elexis Gillette, silver medalist in the 2004 Paralympics Games in Athens, Greece. Gillette, of Raleigh and a sophomore at East Carolina University, is blind and won the silver medal in the long jump.
Click here for more information on the forum and to register online, or call Delilah Pearce with Wake County Human Services at 250-4662.
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