Erlanger Hope To Combat Childhood Obesity With Center Opening In 2015
Experts say childhood obesity is a growing problem here in East Tennessee and one that has been on the rise since the 1990’s.
Dr. Alan Kohrt, CEO Department of Pediatrics, "The Tennessee Valley around Chattanooga is significant between obesity and overweight we are up to 30% of the kids or higher."
Dr. Alan Kohrt believes there are major dietary concerns among children and even toddlers.
"Faced by the family and the community, the community has to change its approach, that the school systems, even the pre-schools getting healthy diets."
Joani Jack a pediatrician and health writer has campaigned for a childhood obesity center in Chattanooga for years and believes it will make a difference.
"Approach the prevention aspect, so that families will simply raise the children to avoid problems like childhood obesity from the beginning."
She says the center will also have diet and exercise specialists and programs to help those trying to control their weight, but are losing the battle.
"Continue to have problems with obesity or overweight or they have comorbidities we have the multi-disciplinary clinic that is referral based for them to come and be seen."
The clinic will also help refer children who have problems with high blood pressure, diabetes and cholesterol to specialists.
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