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Obesity Attacks, Fairchild retaliates

  • Published
  • By Airman Sean Campbell
  • 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  September is annual Childhood Obesity Awareness month. Fairchild has many programs and opportunities for members of the community to help educate and prepare young people on how to live a healthy life style.

Two ways people can keep childhood obesity numbers from increasing are being active and being aware of the foods put into their bodies, said Will Saultes, 92nd Aerospace Medicine Squadron health promotion program coordinator.

"When obesity rates continue to rise, there are many factors that need to be considered, the future generations, the workforce and the standards required to join the military," said Saultes.

The lack of education, social economic issues, food availability and other variables are some factors as to why youth become obese. There are many programs offered to help combat these issues.

Saultes said, one thing the dining facilities offer is the Go for Green Program. All of the foods marked with a green dot are the healthiest, a yellow dot is moderate and a red dot is the least healthy.

"The Youth Center and the Teen center are engaged in making sure their programs are really active for the kids," said Saultes.

Alyson Kresser, 92nd Aerospace Medicine Squadron registered dietitian, teaches cooking classes on healthy eating habits at home and different types of ways to eat fruits and vegetables. She also reviews the menu for the youth organizations on base to ensure the youth participants are getting proper nutrition. The goal of the classes are to make healthy eating more appealing to Fairchild's youth and to educate them on why eating healthy is important, said Saultes.

"If families, or individuals, want help with healthy recipes, building a healthy lifestyle or anything nutrition related they can contact us," said Kresser.

The Health Promotion Office is located at the Fitness Center and is open Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more information on childhood obesity and programs offered at the base call (509) 247-5590.