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Obesity Discussion · 08-05-06, 01:09 PM

Fighting childhood obesity with WIC
By Everette Altdoerffer

staff writer

The Choctaw Nation WIC Program presented a program designed to fight childhood obesity called “All Aboard for Fitness.”

The program was hosted by Don Monopoli of the Learning Station. The Learning Station provides educational assemblies, concerts and workshops that focus on fighting obesity through exercise and good nutrition.

Thursday's presentation was tailored to elementary school teachers, physical education teachers, daycare workers, early childhood development professionals, Head Start teachers and WIC employees.

The assembly taught instructors techniques that would allow them to motivate their students to become more active. Choctaw WIC conference coordinator Deborah Currie said, “WIC is very concerned about obesity in children. Getting them to move to music is a way to get them up and out from in front of the TV.”

The two-hour program went through several dances put to children's music. Monopoli instructed attendees on how to perform the song and dance routines. He said that he had a slightly different style when giving assemblies to adults. When the program is directed to adults he stops and gives instruction on how to teach the dances. When he does programs with children he goes straight through the assembly.

The 54 year old Monopoli said that he has been doing presentations for 21 years. He started the Learning Station with his wife in 1985. Monopoli does the writing, singing and dancing and his wife is the educational director for the company. Monopoli, who's educational background is in electronics, became interested in childhood wellness while serving as a summer camp counselor.

The performance was funded by a grant from the USDA Food and Nutrition Services. About 100 local educators and childcare workers attended the assembly. Monopoli said that he had performed more than 4500 shows during his career and has performed for audiences as large as 3000 participants.

The most important advice Monopoli said he could give was “get active, have fun and eat healthy.”

Article

08-05-06, 01:09 PM	#3 (permalink)
Obesity Discussion Administrator Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 7,960 Weight Statistics 8/1/2006 Start Date: 185 lb Start Weight: 152 lb Current Weight: 155 lb Goal Weight: -33 lb Weight Loss: 5/1/2007 Goal Date:	Re: Oklahoma Fighting childhood obesity with WIC By Everette Altdoerffer staff writer The Choctaw Nation WIC Program presented a program designed to fight childhood obesity called “All Aboard for Fitness.” The program was hosted by Don Monopoli of the Learning Station. The Learning Station provides educational assemblies, concerts and workshops that focus on fighting obesity through exercise and good nutrition. Thursday's presentation was tailored to elementary school teachers, physical education teachers, daycare workers, early childhood development professionals, Head Start teachers and WIC employees. The assembly taught instructors techniques that would allow them to motivate their students to become more active. Choctaw WIC conference coordinator Deborah Currie said, “WIC is very concerned about obesity in children. Getting them to move to music is a way to get them up and out from in front of the TV.” The two-hour program went through several dances put to children's music. Monopoli instructed attendees on how to perform the song and dance routines. He said that he had a slightly different style when giving assemblies to adults. When the program is directed to adults he stops and gives instruction on how to teach the dances. When he does programs with children he goes straight through the assembly. The 54 year old Monopoli said that he has been doing presentations for 21 years. He started the Learning Station with his wife in 1985. Monopoli does the writing, singing and dancing and his wife is the educational director for the company. Monopoli, who's educational background is in electronics, became interested in childhood wellness while serving as a summer camp counselor. The performance was funded by a grant from the USDA Food and Nutrition Services. About 100 local educators and childcare workers attended the assembly. Monopoli said that he had performed more than 4500 shows during his career and has performed for audiences as large as 3000 participants. The most important advice Monopoli said he could give was “get active, have fun and eat healthy.” Article __________________