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July 29, 2008

Free cooking classes and other activities are being held in Bay Point to help fight childhood obesity as part of a continuing partnership between Contra Costa Health Services (CCHS) and the Los Medanos Community Healthcare District.

The partnership, titled NEW Kids as an acronym for Nutrition, Exercise and Wellness, is a comprehensive obesity prevention program serving schools, residents and families in Pittsburg and Bay Point.

Two series of three-part cooking classes are being held at Ambrose Recreation Center, 3105 Willow Pass Road in Bay Point, with the first series designed for families and the second specifically for teens. Both classes still have space and anyone who is interested should call to register on the NEW Kids hotline at 925-313-6860.

"We find that many people would like to cook healthier and are interested in how to do it," said Denise Milosevich, a health educator with CCHS’ Nutrition and Physical Activity Project. "These free classes provide a fun atmosphere to learn easy recipes that are much healthier than the fast food choices that families sometimes eat."

Another new component of NEW Kids is a walking group for Latinas led by "Promotoras" working with Hispanic communities in the vicinity of CCHS’ Bay Point Family Health Center.

"Physical activity is more fun when it is a social occasion," said Yolanda Costilla, one of the Promotoras. "We conducted an assessment and numerous Bay Point Latinas said they would more likely take up regular walking if they didn’t have to do it alone."

The Promotoras have been developing obesity prevention curriculum for the Spanish-speaking parents in Bay Point, and that curriculum is now being developed in English for use with African American parents in Bay Point and Pittsburg.

The cooking classes for families run 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. on three consecutive Mondays July 28 and August 4 and 11. The classes for teens are at the same time on the three Mondays August 25 and September 8 and 15.

Preregistration is required for all classes and is available by calling the NEW Kids hotline at 925-313-6860. The hotline is in English and Spanish. For more information about the other NEW Kids activities and curriculum, contact Denise Milosevich at dmilosevich@cctimes.com or 925-313-6110.

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