GAINESVILLE - The number of overweight and obese children and adolescents in the U.S. is rising at an alarming rate and has reached epidemic proportions, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.
In hopes of combatting the problem, Northeast Georgia Medical Center is sponsoring a free educational seminar for parents and caregivers on Preventing Childhood Obesity. It will be held Tuesday, March 22, from 6:30-8 p.m., in the Walters Auditorium on the Medical Center's main campus. A free sandwich supper will be served starting at 6 p.m.
Pediatrician Jennifer Gottsman, MD, will address this growing trend and its health implications for children and help parents determine when they should become concerned about their child's weight. Vascular Surgeon Dan Procter, MD, will present information about the long term health effects of overweight children who become obese adults and the importance of preventing the problem early. Registered Dietitian Ginny Reddick, RD/LD, will provide nutritional guidelines for children and adolescents and give parents tips on how to incorporate healthy food into their child's diet. Finally, Child Exercise Consultant Katie Hart, RN, will offer advice on encouraging kids to be active.
``Policy makers have named childhood obesity as one of the most critical public health threats of the 21st century," says Pat Allen, director of Women and Children's Services at Northeast Georgia Medical Center. "We hope that this free seminar will equip parents with the information they need to prevent their children from becoming overweight as well as provide guidance and advice for parents whose children's weight may already be approaching dangerous levels."
The seminar is free to anyone wishing to attend. To register or for more information, call 770-535-3400.
Tuesday
July 1st, 2025
8:37AM
