VGCC to pilot new program aimed at combating Childhood Obesity

Vance-Granville Community College has been selected as one of a few North Carolina community colleges to launch a program, in partnership with the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services, to train child day care providers in how to promote healthier children.

The “ Kids Eat Smart Move More ” initiative, supported by federal funding through the Child and Adult Care Food Program, will begin as a pilot project at up to ten community colleges before expanding statewide. The goals of KESMM are to improve the nutrition and physical activity best practices in child care and to decrease the rates of overweight and obese children in North Carolina. The primary role of each college involved in the partnership will be to provide a continuing education course for teachers and staff from child care centers and pre-schools. VGCC has scheduled the 20-hour course to be held on Mondays and Tuesdays from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Oct. 8 through Nov. 6, on the college’s Main Campus in Vance County.

Mesina Reddish, a Registered Dietitian and Licensed Dietitian/Nutritionist with the Granville-Vance District Health Department, will serve as instructor for the course. Reddish, who has more than 17 years of experience in the field of nutrition, said that participants in the course “will get a better understanding of what they can do to prevent childhood obesity by providing healthier meals and incorporating better physical exercise practices in their day care settings.”

According to 2009 data from the Pediatric Nutrition Surveillance System, one in three children is overweight or obese before their fifth birthday.

The cost of the class will be a $65 registration fee, plus a $4 campus security/access fee. Students must pay all fees before the first class meeting.

For more information and to register, call Gabrielle Norfleet at (252) 738-3275.