Baja launches 'Five Steps' to battle childhood obesity

Officials warn that 30% of youngsters are obese

TIJUANA- - Baja California launched a campaign against childhood obesity on Monday, a problem officials warned was a grave threat to the state's population.

Working with the departments of health and education, the state began the "Five Steps" plan, promoting five simple ways children can battle extra pounds.

An alarming 30 per cent of children in Tijuana are obese, said the state's health secretary, José Guadalupe Bustamante, at a press conference at the recreation center Centro de Alto Rendimiento.That puts them at risk of developing chronic, often fatal diseases as adults, he stressed.

The campaign's message will be taught at all public schools in the state and disseminated through the media. State officials said that, when followed, they can transform the lives of the children and their families.

• Drink more water, without added flavors or carbonation.

• Eat more fruits and vegetables.

• Get weighed regularly and follow health care recommendations.

• Increase physical activity.

• Share these habits with family members and friends.

The goals are to prevent obesity, reduce its complications, and adopt better eating habits that all the family can follow permanently, Bustamante said.

The state will coordinate with the K-12 schools to identify children who are overweight or obese. Officials will select those schools with the greatest number of obese children for greater attention. These measures include offering workshops at the school for the children and their families on how they can improve their health.

The health secretary stressed that the five steps should be promoted at the family level and supported by schools if it's to have meaningful, long-term impact.

omar.millan@sandiegored.com

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