OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma City Indian Clinic (OKCIC), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit clinic providing health and wellness services to American Indians in central Oklahoma, is helping to fight the childhood obesity epidemic that is growing every year. September is National Childhood Obesity Month; a month to remind everyone that childhood obesity is a major health problem.
Nearly 20 percent of children and 40 percent of adults are overweight or obese in the United States.
Obesity can lead to serious medical conditions, including heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and even some types of cancer. These are all preventable causes of premature death. To address these issues, OKCIC is providing programs that will get children engaged and equipped for the next chapter of their lives.
“We are constantly striving to create new and current programs that will draw the children’s interest,” Kelsey Wilson said, OKCIC’s Pediatric Dietitian. “Educating and promoting healthy habits and keeping the children active is our goal.”
Studies show that if a child participates in physical activity and engages in a healthy diet, they will continue that lifestyle throughout their life. At OKCIC, the Health Promotion Disease Prevention (HPDP) department strives to promote a healthy and happy lifestyle for all ages.
To combat childhood obesity, OKCIC’s HPDP department holds a variety of after-school programs, camps and nutrition programs. The programs are different and aim to engage each child and their interests. Not only do these programs get the children moving and learning, but they get to experience new things; like golf, dance, basketball and cooking. These programs are available to all OKCIC patients and not only provide physical activities to the children, but education as well.
About Oklahoma City Indian Clinic
Oklahoma City Indian Clinic was established in 1974 to provide excellent health care and wellness services to American Indians in central Oklahoma. The clinic staff cares for more than 18,000 patients from more than 200 federally recognized tribes every year. American Indians can receive a range of services, including medical, dental, pediatrics, prenatal, pharmacy, optometry, physical fitness, nutrition, family programs and behavioral health services. For more information, please visit www.okcic.com.