MSU partners with Flint to counter childhood obesity

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MSU researchers could be part of the solution to childhood obesity in Flint under a partnership between the university, a Flint nonprofit fitness foundation and Flint Community Schools.

The partnership could increase the role of physical activity and good nutrition in the lives of Flint children and families by drawing more funding for CrimFit Youth Programs, which are provided in several of the community’s schools, said Karin Pfeiffer, an assistant professor in MSU’s Department of Kinesiology. Researchers from MSU’s departments of Kinesiology and Radiology through the Center for Physical Activity and Health will work with four Flint elementary schools.

“Flint is a community that has kind of gotten the shaft over the years,” she said. “They are a community that does need and could use some positive types of influences and programs being brought into the community.”

The partnership could have a communitywide impact, said Gail Ganakas, executive director of communications, education and relations for Flint Community Schools.

“It results in raising wellness levels for all of us in terms of nutrition,” she said. “Those little endeavors make a big difference for children — they allow them to not only physically, but emotionally become better people. That strengthens the fabric of the community.”

The goal of the partnership is to bring in more funding to fight childhood obesity, said Erin Lamb, youth program coordinator for Crim Fitness Foundation. Although there is no data specific to Flint, about one-third of American children are overweight or obese, Lamb said.

Through its youth program, the Crim Fitness Foundation educates students about making healthy nutritional choices, Lamb said. MSU researchers will asses the program’s effectiveness, Pfeiffer said.

“What we’re doing is testing three schools within Flint Community Schools who have been running our program for several years and then (a school) who has not had our program,” Lamb said.

The data collected will be used to apply for grants that could expand the programs, Pfeiffer said. The hope is that the program could eventually be expanded to the families of the children, to increase their physical activity and dietary behaviors.

“We’re hoping to really form a family program where we can get everyone active, not just students during the school day,” Lamb said.

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