We're all about children!
 October 2007
Feature Story
The obesity rate among South Carolina's youth is a big problem. So big, says nutritionist Mary Joan Oexmann, MS, RD, that she came out of retirement from MUSC to work on a new educational outreach program focused on tackling it. Developed by Dr. Janice Key, MD, the Lean Team program is MUSC's response to the South Carolina Institute of Childhood Obesity and Related Disorders, a Duke funded initiative for the prevention and treatment of childhood obesity among the children's hospitals of Greenville, Columbia, Florence, and Charleston. "We aim to improve health by preventing and treating childhood obesity through individual, family and community change," explains Oexmann. A national survey determined that nearly 36 percent of South Carolina's children are overweight and/or obese, so it's a program whose time has come, says Oexmann. This year the Lean Team got a jump-start by forming partnerships with two local high schools, Burke High in downtown Charleston, and Baptist Hill High in Hollywood. Working with health science and culinary arts teachers Valerie Nesmith and Carol Rivers, Oexmann and her team are teaching students about obesity prevention by educating them about their risks, showing them how to increase exercise, and explaining ways to improve nutrition. "We teach these teens what a normal weight is, and help them set goals with that in mind," she explains. One thing that always surprises the students is learning how much sugar is in certain foods. "They're amazed to find out there are 10 packets of sugar in a can of soda." Classes involve fun ways to tackle weight gain, such as timing how fast each student walks and then figuring out how many calories they burn if they walk a certain amount of time. The program is set up so that educated and motivated students who improve their health will, in turn, inspire, teach and encourage their peers, families and the community. If you're a parent of an overweight kid, Oexmann has this advice: Take them for a walk. "Do something you haven't done before, maybe walk over the new Cooper River bridge." Share meals together. Talk to your doctor. Parents who want to know more can listen to Dr. Key's podcast. 5210 Countdown Another important message the Lean Team wants to get across: "Countdown to 5210." That's code for five servings of fruits and vegetables, two hours of screen time, one hour of exercise and zero sweetened beverages. "It's a strong message that easily addresses weight management," says Oexmann. It's a message the community is readily embracing. During a recent presentation to Charleston County School District nurses, Oexmann got an overwhelming 100 percent positive response when she inquired about interest in an obesity program for schools. "The community is ready for a change," says Oexmann. "The momentum is happening, and it's an exciting time, an exciting project." The plan, she says, is to secure funding to eventually take the Lean Team to the entire school district. "We're already thinking ahead of the game, and really working towards partnerships. "We're working with the mayor and DHEC to build consensus in the community among all groups that are concerned about childhood obesity." With partnerships comes funding and the ability to address the whole county. Heart Health program continues success and expands The new Lean Team reinforces MUSC's ongoing efforts to tackle childhood obesity through its Heart Health program, a pediatric weight management and preventive cardiology program. Heart Health was developed in 2004 to focus on children with abnormal weight gain and cardiovascular risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and pre-diabetes. "Obese kids are at higher risk for developing these problems as they get older," explains Dr. Melissa Henshaw, MD, medical director of the Heart Health program. "We provide both individual sessions and group orientations, and stress lifestyle-oriented and family-based approaches," says Dr. Henshaw. "We encourage small changes that these kids can then build upon. Even modest reductions in weight improve health." Hundreds of kids have come through the program, which serves children and young adults from ages two to 21. The program is replicating some its best practices and incorporating new ideas, such as telemedicine visits for outlying areas. "To prevent obesity, you need outreach programs, so the Lean Team is a great complement to our clinical program," says Dr. Henshaw. "The more we can do to combat this problem from a number of angles, the more successful we'll be." "It's a big, complex problem - there's no single quick fix," agrees Oexmann. "But things are happening in terms of vending machines, in terms of school lunches, in terms of roads and sidewalks so that kids can to walk to school. "I'm hopeful about this or I wouldn't have come out of retirement to do it," she says frankly. On the research side, "There is more and more in basic sciences research conducted in the Darby Children's Research Institute (DCRI) including work in Dr. Singh's lab on coumpounds that target fat cells", says Dr. Maria, DCRI executive director. MUSC Health Audio Podcasts
Photos from the Lean Team's visit to Burke High School on September 5, 2007  Mike, Elizabeth, & Audrey Teaching  Dr. Mike Oltmann  Audrey Burry  Valerie Nesmith and Carol Rivers  Dr. Elizabeth Penn  Students Taking BP |
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