Pre-K Kids Targets of Healthy Habits

By: Steve Nicoles, Reporter

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By Steve Nicoles

Story Created: Oct 24, 2006 at 3:32 PM CST

Story Updated: Oct 24, 2006 at 4:16 PM CST

IOWA CITY - A department store is teaming up with the University of Iowa to promote healthy living. Kohl's donated $150,000 to the Children's Hospital of Iowa. The money will go to a new program aimed at fighting childhood obesity. Nationally, one in seven children is considered obese.

Many people hear the phrase ‘childhood obesity’ and think elementary school age or even teenage. The Children's Hospital wants to focus on how the kids got to be overweight. So they are starting from the beginning. Toddler story time at the Iowa City public library is the perfect place to start a healthy-living campaign. There is a captive audience. And the kids are young enough to begin good habits and break any bad ones. One mother Erin Schuessler said, “They eat what you give them and they know only what you tell them."

Children’s Hospital of Iowa Administrator John Brandecker, “It's sort of that old adage, 'What you learn early in life carries with you throughout the rest of your life.’"

The hospital, Neighborhood Centers of Johnson County and Kohl's are taking this opportunity to get kids to eat healthy. They provided apples and squash after story time. And the organizations are reinforcing what many parents already know. Parent Dawn Fitzpatrick said, “Grown ups don't always eat healthy either, so it exposes both of us and I think that's a good idea."

When these kids grow up and go to school they will need those healthy habits to resist temptation. The principal of Mann Elementary says the schools are doing a much better job providing healthy food, but kids need a solid foundation. Jodi Rickels said, “I think what is the most important is the habits developed at home in those first five years."

And perhaps a little luck. Fitzpatrick said, “I’m hoping if he (15-month-old Sam) has a good background, a good basis, he will continue to eat this way."

It is never too early to start a healthy life style.

This year-long program hopes to reach about 1,000 Johnson County families. There will be events in and around Iowa City over the next 12 months which will promote healthy eating and physical fitness.

Email Steve Nicoles at Steve.Nicoles@kcrg.com

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