First Lady Michelle Obama’s local project, Let’s Move! West LA will host a public event to celebrate September as National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month on Saturday, Sept. 27 from 1 to 4 p.m. at?the Culver-Palms United Methodist Church located at 4464 Sepulveda Blvd. in Culver City.
Let’s Move! West LA is a collaborative network of volunteer professionals in fields of fitness, education, health services, business and community organizations. Inspired by Obama’s National Initiative, “to eliminate childhood obesity within a generation” Let’s Move! West LA members combine their resources to produce events that promote upgrades to patterns of fitness, nutrition and wellness within local Westside communities.
The World Health Organization (WHO) claims that the United States ranks No. 1 in the world with the highest obesity rates. Obesity has become a 21st century health epidemic in many regions of the nation.
Since mid-1970’s obesity rates in the United States have soared for all age groups. The rise in obesity rates among youth is the most alarming. Childhood obesity has increased fourfold among ages 6 to 11. More than 23 million youth under the age 20 are obese or overweight, a statistic that health and medical experts call epidemic. This epidemic puts nearly one-third of American children at-risk for the likelihood of diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke – conditions normally associated with adulthood.
At the Sept. 27, free family-oriented event is part of Let’s Move! West LA’s effort to reduce childhood obesity. The event will have resource leaders conducting “mini-workshops” and active training sessions that feature family-oriented solutions to upgrade overall household health and wellness. All age groups are welcome and encouraged to participate in this fun, experiential learning session.
The workshops include Jeanne Kuntz of “Teaching Wellness,” who will lead a training entitled Making Time For Life. Then 1996 Olympic Gold-Medalist and UCLA Track & Field Star, Althea Moses will lead a Dance/Fitness session.
Actor Rufus Dorsey, also a personal trainer at Equinox Fitness, will conduct a group demonstration of his D-Force For Life workout that utilizes the common water bottles.
The special gardening-focused sessions will be lead by Program Manager for Enrich LA Jasmine Lin, who specializes in assisting school staff with enhanced learning by teaching students how-to plant and maintain gardens at their schools.
A representative of the Los Angeles Community Garden Council will discuss their countywide program that manages 32 community gardens and offers assistance to more than 125 neighborhood gardens across Los Angeles County.
The afternoon’s highlight will be the free serving of a traditional Korean family meal called ‘bibimbap’ (pronounced bee-bem-bap) to all participants. Composed of fresh and natural ingredients, this “diet option to prevent obesity” will be prepared and served by members of Korean non-profit organization, Bibimbap Backpackers.
Headquartered in South Korea, Bibimbap Backpackers’ are a group of young, energetic health advocates who travel the world promoting the healthy qualities of ‘bibimbap’ as a source for nourishment. They will also seek to inspire a sense of creativity in learning more about nutritious diet options from Korea and other international locale.
The fresh and natural food ingredients are donated by Korean restaurant chain, Bibigo USA with locations in Beverly Hills, Century City and Westwood.
Space is limited to the free Saturday afternoon event set at the Culver-Palms United Methodist Church in Culver City. To RSVP for a group or family, people are asked to send an email with individual names of those attending with a return email address to: letsmove.westla@outlook.com.
Let’s Move! West LA will send confirmations via email on or before Thursday, Sept. 18. For information about Let’s Move! West LA projects visit them online: www.letsmovewestla.ning.com or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/events/702693169806475/.
