Metro We come to state of indepemienc Kids Obesity Factor HIGIMA.Y A local doctor has formed CHIPs to trim the fats RUTHAN BRODSKY Special to the Jewish News D *24 Mo. Leases plus tax, title & plate. 12k miles per year. Sec. deposit waived on approved credit. 9-3 & 9-5=$2500 total due, 9-2X=$3500 total due. 9-3 Convert,=$1999 total due. Must qualify for Oldsmobile loyalty and GMS pricing. All rebates to dealer. 'Plus tax, title, plate & destination. On Telegraph at The Tel-12 Mall, Southfield BARISH INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, L.L.C. Member NASD, SIPC, MSRB and Boston Stock Exchange DAN I. BARISH 248-851-2902 Barish Investment Management, L.L.C. 31313 Northwestern Hwy., Ste. 100 Farmington Hills, MI 48334 CALLTOOP,i FOR P,SUBSCRIPTION 5/12 2005 32 248.351.5174 r. Paul Ehrmann, D.O., a pri- mary physician in Royal Oak, is one of those people who recognizes a problem, researches it and then takes action. Practicing family medicine at the Family Health Care Center for close to 25 years, Dr. Ehrmann saw younger patients becoming overweight; some were obese. His volunteer activities in the Royal Oak school district, as a high school team physician, gave him an even broader picture. "Childhood obesity isn't only a problem for Royal Oak, it's a problem for this whole country," says Dr. Ehrmann. "Thirteen percent of chil- dren and adolescents are now over- weight or obese, which represents more than a doubling in the last 30 years. Obesity rates for children age 6 to 11 tripled. "The bottom line is that 1 in 6 chil- dren in the U.S. are obese. As a result, this may be the first generation that will be less healthy and have a shorter life expectancy than their parents." The childhood obesity problem is not a secret. Headlines about this epi- demic scream from newspapers and magazines, from TV and radio inter- views, and from literature published by health organizations. Parents, health care professionals and educators discuss the issue, offer seminars about what can be done, and lay the blame on the fast- food industry, television viewing, video games, and lack of parental guidance. "I got tired of hearing about the problem so I developed a program that may provide some positive responses from kids and their families," said Dr. Ehrmann. "The program starts in the school, but I knew it wouldn't work if it was costly because school districts don't have any extra money. I also knew it wouldn't work if it meant more responsibilities for teachers because they don't have any extra time. "I understood that the program needed to be low-maintenance, turn- key and cost-effective if the business community would even consider sponsoring some of the operation." Dr. Ehrmann created CHIPs, Children's Health Initiative Program, . and funded a pilot program for 30 stu- dents and their families at Royal Oak Upton Elementary School last winter. "My goal was to develop a program that could be replicated in part or as a whole by other schools and districts," he said. Dr. Ehrmann collaborated with the Michigan Medical Society, Oakland Schools and the Royal Oak School District. He presented the preliminary components of CHIPs to 20 Oakland County high school representatives in February 2004. All agreed that com- munities want to do something about this problem but never had the tools and guidance. The group made the decision to go forward with Dr. Ehrmann's proposal. Steering committees were formed and a five-week pilot emerged, designed to demonstrate the basic lifestyle practices and long-term bene- fits of weight management and exer- cise. The pilot program began this February. "Upton School had already institut- ed several fun activities to educate children," said principal Sharon Ivascu, "such as a lunch-hour walking club for students and staff, and a chal- lenge to count and track steps for individual students and staff u s ing pedometers. "Dr. Ehrmann's program caught my eye because it complement- Consequences Of Obesity • Glucose intolerance and insulin resistance • Type 2 diabetes • Hypertension • Sleep apnea • Impaired balance • Orthopedic problems • Menstrual abnormalities • Low self-esteem • Negative body image • Depression . • Stigma • Negative stereotyping • Discrimination • Teasing and bullying