Nationally, the prevalence of childhood obesity has tripled in the last 40 years and is now the second leading cause of preventable death. Minority and indigent children, who often face socioeconomic, cultural, and environmental barriers to healthy living, are at the greatest risk for pediatric obesity. Catawba County children surpass statewide averages in each age group.

To improve these statistics, Catawba Valley Medical Center (CVMC) applied for and was awarded two three-year grants totaling nearly $825,000 to implement an innovative new initiative: The Healthy House, a facility dedicated to both preventing and treating childhood obesity. It is the first of its kind in the region and is located on the medical center campus.

Funding to supplement Healthy House prevention and treatment initiatives comes from the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust (KBR) and the Duke Endowment. KBR funds are earmarked specifically for the development of prevention programs for at-risk children ages 3-4. The Duke grant helped establish The Healthy House’s treatment programs and funded the remodeling of an existing house on the campus.

The Healthy House’s prevention initiative, the Wellness FAN (Fitness, Awareness, Nutrition) program, seeks to make a sustainable difference. It provides education, activities, and resources that can lead to the prevention of obesity in high risk children. The Healthy House also offers a variety of treatment options – from physical activity to nutritional guidance – for children already dealing with obesity. Currently, most participants in The Healthy House’s childhood obesity prevention program are coordinated through Catawba County’s Head Start initiative. However, the treatment program is open to any child in the community who has a need. Both programs are developed by Catawba Valley Medical Center and overseen by Vondell Clark, M.D., M.P.H. Clark, who was instrumental in developing The Healthy House vision, is the medical director of CVMC’s Weight Solutions program.

View CVMC's Healthy House as featured on Channel WBVT News below: 

Call 828-326-3410 for more information on the Healthy House and its programs.

“The foundations of our Healthy House programs are built on family involvement. A house, as the site for our childhood obesity programs, mirrors the program’s design and reflects an optimal healthy living environment for families.” – Dr. Vondell Clark