Video: Ochsner Medical Center 'Drives' Mobile P.E. Class to New Orleans Schools in Fight Against Chi...( NEW ORLEANS Aug. 12 /- It's Back ...),Health

NEW ORLEANS, Aug. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- It's Back to School time again and more schools are reducing or eliminating physical education programs in lieu of academic curriculum. According to a national survey, nearly 22 percent of Black and Hispanic kids, ages four to 12, are overweight or obese. And, the 2000 census indicated that the New Orleans population is 67 percent African American and has experienced an increase in Hispanics moving to the area.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080812/NYFNSB01 )

To view the Multimedia News Release, go to: http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/ochsner/34118/

Ochsner Medical Center in New Orleans is taking P.E. to schools with its Mobile Fitness Unit called On the Move. Ochsner's Elmwood Fitness Center developed a community outreach program to help fight a growing global epidemic: 32 percent, or nine million American children, are now overweight. On the Move is equipped with child-sized workout equipment, staffed by trainers, a nutritionist, and an Executive Chef, and is provided at no cost to New Orleans-area schools.

On the Move will be launched at Orleans and Jefferson Parish public schools in lower income neighborhoods. "We chose these schools for their diversity and location. Children of lower income families tend to suffer from weight problems more often," explains Michael Heim, On the Move and Youth Fitness Manager at Elmwood Fitness Center. "Our goal is to expose elementary students to activities early on that promote healthier behaviors."

Dr. Douglas Moodie, MD, Chairman of Pediatrics at Ochsner, explains that the driving force in developing On the Move was, "the growing childhood obesity epidemic and continual reduction of P.E. classes in schools. We're headed in the wrong direction in our fight against pediatric obe
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