Project H.E.A.L.T.H.

Obesity is a leading health problem among Americans in the United States.  Recently, obesity has turned into an out-of-control epidemic that not only affects adults, but children as well. The National Diabetes Education Program reports that now that more American children and adolescents are overweight and significantly less active, type 2 diabetes is more prevalent among young people. Native Americans, Hispanic/Latino, and African American children who have a family history of diabetes and who, themselves, are obese, are at a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Further, it is estimated that thousands of children have diabetes that have not yet been diagnosed.

In order to address this issue, the Institute of African American Health launched the Project H.E.A.L.T.H (Health Education and Life Transforming Habits) : A childhood obesity and diabetes prevention program. Project H.E.A.L.T.H. was established in January 2004 for the purposes of decreasing obesity, educating parents and children about the implications of obesity-related diseases such as diabetes, encouraging the prevention and early detection of obesity-related health problems, as well as promoting healthy living through proper diet and exercise.

The major goal of Project H.E.A.L.T.H. is to provide education and training about obesity and its effects on the young body, thereby preventing or decreasing obesity in children and adolescents. The hopes are that through the efforts of this project other serious illnesses or diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure and kidney failure will be eradicated among our youth. 

To learn more about how you can enroll your child in Project H.E.A.L.T.H. or bring our program to your school or organization, please contact us at (850) 877-3783 or projecthealth@blackhealthbeat.com