Childhood obesity has double in the last twenty years from 7% to 14% of the U.S. population. Children are choosing higher fat and sugar content foods and their health is paying the price.

The Women, Infants and Children Nutrition Program (WIC) of the Stanislaus County Health Services Agency is beginning a six week series of classes for WIC and CHDP families with children ages 4 – 8 years who may be at risk of becoming overweight (at or above the 90% percentile for weight). The program is called Fit Kids and is designed to encourage families to increase their intake of fruit and vegetables and to increase their activity levels. The program will focus on behavior, choice and knowledge as the key elements of maintaining a healthy lifestyle over a lifetime.

Classes will occur every Monday from June 10 – July 15 at 3:30 p.m. Classes will last for one hour.

According to Elaine Emery, Director of WIC, “We’re seeing so many overweight kids in the community, it’s an epidemic.” Emery added that the goal of the program is to help make a difference over a lifetime. “Ultimately, ten years down the road there will be fewer obese kids, which means less diabetes and related-health problems,” she stated.

The classes are a pilot project and a collaboration between the Stanislaus County Health Services Agency’s WIC and Nutrition Network Program.

The Stanislaus County Health Services Agency (HSA) is an outpatient medical system with 10 medical offices located throughout Stanislaus County. The HSA operates the Public Health Department, an Urgent Care Center and multiple programs serving over 500,000 patients and clients each year in Stanislaus County