Childhood Obesity November 5, 2003 Weight Management Physician Addresses Childhood Obesity at Startown Elementary School’s Teacher/Faculty Meeting

Dr. Vondell Clark of Catawba Valley Medical Center’s Weight Management Center recently spoke on the topic of childhood obesity to the faculty at Startown Elementary School’s initial “teach the teachers” program. Because obesity among children is steadily increasing, school principal Rob Fuldner expressed an interest to Garrett Snyder, PTO president at the school, about educating his staff. Snyder set up the class at the Outpatient Center at Catawba Valley Medical Center. Dr. Clark and other CVMC clinical and fitness experts presented information on good eating habits, nutrition and exercise options to help the school’s students achieve or maintain healthy weights. Also speaking were Sandy Wallsch-Drury, CVMC Fitness Center coordinator, and Lynn Geissele, Registered Dietitian and CVMC wellness coordinator. Following the presentation, the group toured CVMC’s Fitness Center. “Startown Elementary wants to educate the whole child,” said Fuldner. “Being healthy and capable is a logical step toward this goal. Healthful living doesn’t come out of a textbook. It is shaped through modeling, observation and instruction. Our school wants children to see healthy individuals advocating for educational, intellectual and personal fitness,” he continued. Dr. Clark practices at SouthEast Catawba Family Practice in Denver as well as at CVMC’s Weight Management Center located in Two Bears Plaza on Hwy. 127 North, Hickory. Snyder is the administrator for Rehab Services at CVMC. For more information on childhood obesity or CVMC’s Fitness Center, call Ms. Wallsch-Drury at 828-326-2137. For information on CVMC’s Weight Management Center, call Linda Swift at 828-485-2300, ext. 223. Catawba Valley Medical Center is a not-for-profit healthcare system providing and promoting the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well being of the public in addition to serving as a center for health education, wellness services, preventative medicine and acute care. It was recently designated as the thirty-second Magnet facility in the nation and the second in the Carolinas.