Released on: August 30, 2008, 2:50 pm

Press Release Author: Executive Director: Monica Macedon

Industry: Non Profit

Press Release Summary: The mission of the Childhood Obesity Prevention Program
(COPP) is to identify, evaluate, create and encourage healthy culturally sensitive
eating patterns,
physical activity, and healthy lifestyles to reduce the prevalence of childhood
obesity in the United States.

Press Release Body: In the United States, the childhood obesity rate has more than
doubled for preschool-age children and more than tripled for children age 6 to 11
over the past three decades. In fact, approximately 9 million U.S. children over the
age of 6 are considered obese.

On Aug. 12, these statistics and the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle
were addressed by Daniel Hamilos, MD, of MGH\'s Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology
Division. In partnership with the Making Our Environment Right (MOER) Foundation\'s
first annual Childhood Obesity Prevention Program (COPP) Health Series, Hamilos
spoke to approximately 130 school-age children at the Yawkey Boys and Girls Club of
Boston, giving an interactive and child-friendly presentation.
The MGH Heart Center provided more than 100 pedometers, and children who indicated
they had asthma were given peak flow meters.

The COPP Health Series-Boston ran from May 6 through Aug. 12 and featured lecturers
from the MGH, Partners HealthCare, BWH, Harvard Medical School and Healthworks
Fitness for Women. For more information about the program, access
www.moerfoundation.org/copp/index.html.

PREVENTING CHILDHOOD OBESITY: From left, Anthony L. Williams, DD, MOER Foundation,
Inc. Regional Health Lecturer; Professor: Ann-Marie Anthony-Williams, MOER
Foundation, Inc. Program Director; Hamilios; and Ali York Muhammed, DD, Chief
Executive Officer and Founder of the MOER Foundation, Inc.

Web Site: http://www.massgeneral.org/news/Hotline_Item.aspx?id=247

Contact Details: Chief Executive Director: Dr. Ali York Muhammed
9700 Research Drive
Charlotte, NC 28262
800-719-5070
admin@moerfoundation.org
http://www.moerfoundation.org/copp