Healthy Futures

WHAT IS HEALTHY FUTURES?

Healthy Futures is a program that provides an opportunity for individuals and families to take back control of their lives and to become healthy once again. In partnership with local experts on nutrition and physical activity, this summer Healthy Futures will conduct a self-help program to enable people to gain the knowledge, learn the skills, and to work together to change for good. Working with their families, spouses, communities of faith, and foster care networks, Healthy Futures will help people design their own programs to fit their individual needs and situations based upon what others have previously done to succeed. Groups will meet twice a week for education to share their own ideas and to collectively advocate for family and community changes that will support their efforts to change.

WHY IS HEALTHY FUTURES NEEDED?

Being overweight and obese are common health problems nationwide, and these issues are of particular concern among S.C. adults and children. The rates have more than doubled since 1990 in our state. Did you know that:

  • In 2006, the Palmetto State ranked fourth in the nation with more than 65 percent of adults either obese or overweight
  • African American women have the highest rates—about four out of five are overweight or obese
  • Among African American youth, approximately 17 percent of high school students are either overweight or obese, compared with 10.5 percent of white students
  • In rural South Carolina, more than one out of three children ages 10-17 years are overweight or obese.

While many community programs and curricula have been developed to address this issue, African Americans and their families continue to suffer and die a premature death at a higher rate. Many families are unable to afford health care costs and are unable to provide healthy, balanced meals for their children. Physical inactivity and unhealthy eating most often leads to obesity. Proper nutrition and being physically active are keys to preventing obesity. Achieving and maintaining an appropriate weight requires healthy eating patterns and becoming more physically active.

CONTACT:

Ms. Tonyia McGirt, Program Coordinator
COLUMBIA URBAN LEAGUE
1400 Barnwell Street, Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 799-8150