About Us
Napa County's Children and Weight Coalition is a
collaboration of community organizations, schools, recreation
facilities, healthcare professionals and others dedicated to reducing
childhood overweight in Napa County.
Mission:
Provide leadership for the community and serve as a
resource for the development of interdisciplinary, evidence-based
strategies to promote children's health through nutrition and physical
activity.
Vision:
Dedicated towards achieving a community environment that promotes and supports
healthy lifestyles for children and their families
Our Coalition's Philosophical Basis for Children and Weight
Projects:
Ø
We
recognize each child as a unique individual and each family as a unique
group of individuals.
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We
celebrate differences in body size and shape among children and adults.
Ø
We
view all bodies as good bodies. There
is no such thing as a bad body.
Ø
We
respect the bodies of others even though they might be different from
our own. We encourage
children to demonstrate respect for the bodies of others.
Ø
We
believe that approaches to decreasing pediatric obesity must be based on
sound scientific research, as well as the guiding principle of “do no
harm”.
Ø
We
believe that the best way to decrease obesity is to create environments
that promote healthy lifestyles.
Ø
We
promote body satisfaction, self-esteem, and a positive body image for
children and adults.
Ø
We
believe that the vast majority of parents love their children and are
committed to fostering their health and welfare.
Ø
We
know that our children are our future; we are strongly committed to
caring for them and creating a world in which they can thrive.
Children & Weight Coalition Brochure (requires
Adobe Reader)
Napa County's Children & Weight
Coalition community involvement
Since the coalition was formed in 2004,
we have been involved in numerous community activities. A sampling
of our local involvement:
 |
Participation in community &
school health fairs |
|
Sponsored a conference "Helping
your Child Reach a Healthy Weight" in October 2005 |
|
Sponsored an eating disorders
workshop for educators and health care professionals in 2005 |
|
Presentations to health classes at
Napa High |
|
Various presentations to child care
providers, parents, health care providers on childhood nutrition,
physical activity, childhood overweight |
|
Sponsored a series of parent
education classes in 2006 on prevention of disordered eating,
healthy weight and family nutrition. |
|
Involvement in NVUSD School Wellness
Policy Committee |
|
Work with local medical providers to
create resource list of local childhood overweight treatment
programs. |
|
Purchase quality PE/play equipment
for high risk elementary schools |
2006 Accomplishments
|
The
Coalition was invited to participate in the NVUSD Wellness
Committee, which has been meeting monthly since November 2005 |
|
Sponsored
events/activities (provided funding, resources and/or organized
event):
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“The
Nuts and Bolts of Feeding Kids Well” nutrition education and cooking
class for parents/teachers/childcare providers, February 22, March 22,
April 26
“Napa
Valley Unified Bike to School Day”, May 18
“Physical
Activity – the Link to Learning and Health”, activity education for
NVUSD elementary teachers, November 29
(session one, in a series of three sessions, the next two
sessions in 2007)
“Physical
Activity – the Link to learning and Health”, activity education for
recreation staff, day care providers, parents, November 30
|
Provided
speakers for a variety of Napa events
|
“¡Liberate
de la Tele! (turn off the TV), Hispanic parent class at St. John’s
Catholic Church, February 28
“Alimentas
Sanos y Balanceados (food that is healthy and balanced)” , Hispanic
parent class at St. John’s Catholic Church, March 28
Napa
Valley Unified School District Wellness Committee – presentation to
school board, March30 and November 16
|
Participation
in Napa County health and/or family fairs:
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Puertas
Abiertas Resource Fair, at St. John’s Catholic Church, April 1
Kids
Day at COPE, April 29
Community
Resources for Children, Annual Picnic Day at Fuller Park, May 26
St.
Helena’s Women Center Health Fair, July 8
Binacional
de Salud Health Fair, at Clinic Ole, October 8
Napa County's Children & Weight
Coalition is comprised of representatives from:
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