Because Nothing Should Weigh a Child Down

Author: livelight

Our summer camp was a huge success (not to mention fun!)

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Our Live Light Summer camp started its 6th season this summer!. The 40 campers were excited as they all ran into the gymnasium at Teacher’s Prep High School, our venue for many of the past six years.  Some of the campers knew each other from previous Live Light summer camps.  Some knew each other from their Live Light Live Right exercise site throughout the year.  Some knew each other from the neighborhood.  The one thing that was certain is that they felt emotionally and physically safe with each other.  They already had their Live Light Live Right T-Shirt, hat and backpack and were ready to start the summer with fun, laughs and inspiration. Continue reading →

Making healthy choices at the salad bar

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Salads can make a wonderfully healthy meal, but when the ingredients aren’t chosen wisely, they can also be deceptively fattening with rich creamy dressings and fatty toppings like bacon that pile on the calories.  Learning how to navigate the salad bar options can take some time, but the reward is certainly delicious.

When you go to choose a salad, fill your bowl with healthy, low-fat ingredients. Here are some of our favorites: Continue reading →

AAPI Promotes Obesity Awareness

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American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin, the largest ethnic medical organization in the country, has made Childhood Obesity its national theme this year.

As part of the group’s pledge to educate the public about ill effects of obesity and promote longterm management strategies, the organization planned an educational and entertainment program at Westbury Music Fair on Long Island last month. Continue reading →

Managing cardiovascular risk in overweight children and teens

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Pediatric cardiologists are seeing a dramatic increase in the number of overweight and obese children and adolescents who already have obesity-related diseases like hypertension, type II diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, according to paper by Dr. Sarita Dhuper that was published in the June issue of Pediatric Drugs.

Obesity is fast becoming the major cause of premature death in the developed world because obesity increases the risk of developing other diseases, not previously seen in teens and children. The article reviews the literature and recent scientific statements and recommendations by the American Heart Association (AHA) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) about the metabolic abnormalities associated with obesity, including newer identification and treatment strategies for obesity, dyslipidemia, and early subclinical coronary artery disease seen in high-risk children and adolescents.

Click here to access the article. Or, if you’d like to order a reprint, email Dr. Dhuper at sdhuper@livelight.org.

Robin Hood Fellows Day Out

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Live Light Live Right was delighted to welcome a group of teenage fellows from the Robin Hood Foundation last month.

The fellows are older teens who have attended Camp Robin Hood. During the two-year program, they focus on venture philanthropy and Robin Hood’s quest to find, fund and partner with the best poverty-fighting organizations. Live Light Live Right is honored to be a Robin Hood partner and it was exciting to show these enthusiastic young people what we do everyday. Continue reading →

Sports and Fitness Expo was a day of fun and fitness

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Judging from the smiles on the faces of the children and the many positive and encouraging comments received from their parents, the 10th Annual Children’s Sports & Fitness Expo-Body Sculpt was a major success. More than 2,000 children and adults attended the June 15 event at the Boys and Girls High School in Brooklyn.

Visitors took part in over 27 sports and nutrition activities. Children were encouraged to participate in at least two sports activities, a nutrition workshop and a health screening if they wanted to receive a goodie bag. The sports activities included soccer, fencing, tennis, volleyball, golf, gymnastics, double dutch, football, track and field and much more.

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Local area health practitioners provided the health screenings for asthma, vision, dental, blood pressure and body mass index.  The expo exercised the mind too: There were environmental education and chess workshops. Adults participated in our Adult Zumba/Cardio Bootcamp Challenge. A cash prize was awarded to the first place winner and Spa packages were awarded to the second and third place winners.

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The Live Light Live Right program provided exercise and nutrition information along with BMI screenings. Our staff screened over 200 people at the event! Anyone who completed a BMI screening was given a Live Light Live Right Water bottle or baseball cap.

After the BMI screen, nutritional information was given and if the child was overweight or obese, our staff provided information about the Live Light Live Right program. Many people were surprised by their Body Mass Index.

Other health screening stations included dental screenings by Methodist Hospital, FDNY provided CPR simulations, NYU School of Dentistry provided information for families. There was also vision screening for children.

There was a raffle prize for the participants of the event, and Live Light Live Right donated Nike sneakers for this raffle.

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AMA declares obesity a disease

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The largest organization of physicians in the country has officially recognized obesity as a disease, a decision that could encourage health insurance companies to expand coverage and doctors to take the problem more seriously.

Until now, obesity was considered a risk factor for other diseases like type II diabetes or cardiovascular disease. It wasn’t considered an illness in its own right. But last month the American Medical Association voted to categorize the symptoms of obesity – a body mass index above 30 – as a disease. The move was controversial. The delegates who made  the decision overrode a committee’s opinion. But its effects could have a far-reaching impact.

People suffering from obesity are often told they are lazy and that it’s their fault that they are overweight — we see it all the time in our program. With the largest medical organization in the nation declaring it a disease, perhaps this will be the first step in changing how we all think about obesity.

Although the AMA has no direct authority to change policies, it is the largest organization of doctors in the country and its opinions don’t go unnoticed. Doctors may pay closer attention to obese patients and treat obesity more aggressively if they view it as an illness and not a lifestyle choice. Health insurance companies might be more likely to pay for obesity-related symptoms if it is considered a disease. And people suffering from obesity may take steps to improve their health if they see that they are suffering from a disease that could be treated.

Drink Up: How to stay hydrated this summer

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Did you know that water makes up between 45% to 75% of your weight? That your blood is 80% water? That if you don’t replace what’s lost every day, blood thickens, forcing your heart to work harder and raising your risk of a heart attack? But you choose your drinks wisely, because many are packed with calories.

In hot weather, maintaining a healthy fluid balance can be difficult. Yet staying properly hydrated not only helps you stay alert, but helps control appetite, improve your activity and athletic performance, and keeps every day symptoms like fatigue, headaches, and dry skin at bay.

While a large 24-fl oz glass of iced soda or a fruit juice or a chilled juice concoction or energy drink will keep you cool on a hot day, it can pack nearly 300 calories daily from sugar and other unhealthy ingredients!. So that clearly is not a good choice. But there are terrific low-calorie alternatives to a Big Gulp, and they can be just as tasty. Continue reading →

Join Us for GBHC’s 5th Annual Health Fair

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Join Live Light Live Right Saturday, June 1 for the Greater Brooklyn Health Coalition’s 5th Annual Health Fair. It’s going t0 be a fun day on the plaza with face painting, balloon figures, giveaways, raffles. You might even win a mini iPad or Nike sneakers! The event will also offer free health screenings and health information. Live Light Live Right is a member of the Greater Brooklyn Health Coalition.

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Childhood obesity is a mental health problem too

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Childhood obesity affects more than just body weight. Many overweight and obese children also struggle with emotional, behavioral and peer problems. Studies have shown that they suffer disproportionately from negative self-regard, diminished quality of life and some psychiatric disorders.

It’s something we see in our own program everyday. A Live Light Live Right clinic based survey found that nearly half of overweight or obese children suffered from a depressive disorder and a quarter of them met the criteria for Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD or ADHD.) Obese youth with these dual diagnoses require comprehensive and integrated treatment as the two conditions may be mutually reinforcing. Continue reading →

Our Participant of the Month: Brandon Veloz

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Brandon Veloz has a success story that he would like to share with you. When Brandon was 7 years old, his mother was looking at pictures of Brandon.  She noticed that something was not quite right. Brandon was gaining weight.  His mother searched the Internet to find help for Brandon, stumbling upon the Live Light Live Right program. That was 5 years ago. Continue reading →