Press Release

• Tweet

June 13, 2003

Spanish-speaking parents can get important information on childhood obesity and information on how to help their children lose weight on a local Spanish-language television show.

¡Vida Sana en Vivo!, an award winning Spanish language television show produced by Contra Costa Television, will discuss childhood obesity and the NEW Kids program, Pittsburg's solution to childhood obesity. The show is scheduled to make its debut on June 19 at 3:30 p.m., and will rerun June 20 at 5 p.m., June 26 at 3:30 p.m. and June 27 at 5 p.m. Guest will be Luz Gómez-Pardini, coordinator of the NEW Kids program.

"Childhood obesity is a serious problem with many health and social consequences. We hope our program will show parents and others that there are ways they can prevent obesity and help their children," said Gómez-Pardini.

According to Gómez-Pardini, Public Health Nutritionist, childhood obesity is on the rise and has reached epidemic levels, especially in some areas. Pittsburg is especially hard hit and she will talk about a new program to help families there.

"With NEW Kids in Pittsburg, our goal is to give families an option to a healthier lifestyle. Through our program we hope to change behavior and give exercise a new look so that being healthy becomes enjoyable and not dreary," said Gómez-Pardini.

She said the NEW Kids program has two parts, a clinical piece and an after-school piece. The clinical piece will be held at the Pittsburg Health Center and includes an eight-week weight management program. Weight management sessions will include self-esteem counseling, nutritional guidance, behavior modification techniques and more. The after-school component will be held at Stoneman and Heights Elementary schools in Pittsburg and will include health education, physical activity and more. Children may participate in both.

¡Vida Sana en Vivo! can be seen on Contra Costa Television, the county's public access cable TV station on Thursdays at 3:30 p.m. and Fridays at 5 p.m. (In the Danville/Blackhawk area, channel 10; in Clayton and Concord, channel 15 and 18; in Oakley and Bethel Island, Martinez, Moraga, Orinda, Pacheco, Pleasant Hill and Walnut Creek, channel 19; in Antioch, Bay Point, Pittsburg, San Ramon, Concord, Crockett, El Cerrito, El Sobrante, Hercules, Pinole, Richmond, Rodeo, and San Pablo, channel 27. With Astound Cable, channel 32.)

# # #