The Cause
Tackling Childhood Obesity through an After-school Program for Nutrition and Physical Activity

We’re going “All In” for Healthy Happy Kids

Childhood obesity is a growing epidemic in the United States, and it is even more severe in Alabama. One third of the state’s children are either overweight or obese, placing Alabama on the top of obesity charts nationally. It is known that obesity in the U.S. occurs at higher rates in racial and ethnic minority populations such as African Americans and Hispanics.

The MHRC designed the Healthy Happy Kids program in response to community needs to stop the childhood obesity epidemic in underserved Alabama communities. For six sessions, children in after-school programs learn about the food pyramid, calorie balance and health eating habits. Dressed in specially provided aprons and chef hats, they assume the role of chefs and create simple but healthy snacks. They also get recipe cards, which they can share with their parents in hopes that the good beginning will continue at home. The children also learn about the importance of exercise and engage in playing volleyball, rope jumping, and Frisbee. T-shirts, jump ropes, Frisbees, and volleyballs are sent home to encourage children to remain active.

After being pilot-tested in three inner-city schools in Birmingham and one afterschool-care program in Leeds, Alabama, the Minority Health Young Professionals Board is supporting the expansion of the Healthy Happy Kids program into additional Birmingham City schools and other schools in the region.

Healthy children today. Healthy adults tomorrow.

UAB Minority Health Young Professionals Board
1530 3rd Avenue South BDB 477
Birmingham, AL 35294-0012
Phone: 205-975-5659
Email: Samika@uab.edu