Doctor implements program to combat childhood obesity
Doctor hopes to make program countywide by 2006
By Sarah Cormier
C & G Staff Writer
Kim Johnson, a lunchroom mom and volunteer for Upton Elementary School in Royal Oak, said that she sees what children eat for lunch every day and it isn’t always what you would call healthy.
So, when Johnson’s son David, a third-grader at Upton, came home with information about a new fitness program that students could participate in outside of school, the Johnsons jumped at the chance to participate.
The program, called Children’s Health Initiative Program, or CHIP, was created by Royal Oak doctor Paul Ehrmann.
“Two years ago, I decided I wanted to bring a community-based health initiative to the school district,” Ehrmann said.
He said that after that, he began meeting with school officials to come up with a fitness program that could be tailored to children from third- to fifth-grade.
Pretty soon, a five-week program geared towards providing children with a better understanding on the importance of what they eat and how they exercise was created.
Ehrmann said a flyer was sent out to children at both Upton and Oakland elementary schools, and several students signed up. So many in fact, that Ehrmann had to cut a few.
Each week of the program, the children were able to learn something new about fitness and healthy eating habits.
During the first week of the program, participants listened to a motivational speaker and had a personal trainer work with them. In the second week of the program, a dietician came in and spoke to the children about healthy eating. The third week, the children were taken on a tour of a grocery store. After that, a gourmet chef came in and showed the children different types of healthy meals that could be made. In the fifth week of the program, the children were given diplomas. Ehrmann said that 28 out of the 30 children who participated graduated.
Ehrmann added that the program is not just about obesity, but about healthy living. He added that it is the duty of doctors everywhere to help children understand the effects that childhood obesity could have on them.
“Doctors need to be leaders and teachers in the community and put forth an effort to lead this,” Ehrmann said.
Ehrmann said that his next goal for CHIP is for the program to be implemented in schools across Oakland County. He added that he has been working with representatives from the Oakland County Medical Society to help make his goal happen.
Donna LaGosh, executive director of the Oakland County Medical Society, said that the group strongly supports Ehrmann’s program and will be helping Ehrmann to make it go county wide.
“Childhood obesity has risen dramatically,” LaGosh said. “It is frightening because before it was not an age group that typically had those types of problems. Now children are getting migraines, diabetes. They are acquiring adult diseases at young ages.”
Johnson said that she and David are pleased that they participated in the program. She said they learned a lot about nutrition and how it is important to eat certain kinds of foods.
“We already knew that fruits and vegetables were good for us, but not why,” Johnson said. “The program gave details as to why they are good and how they can help.”
She said the program also showed families that a change in diet doesn’t have been drastic, and even the simplest things can make a big change.
“We were taught that it is real important for them to know how to make changes in their diet and how little things can make a big difference. It doesn’t have to be all or none.”
For more information on the CHIP program, visit www.docpaul.com.