Florida Hospital System (see more articles like this)

Florida Hospital, the largest hospital in the nation, is on the front lines of the growing childhood obesity epidemic.  Based in Orlando, Florida, “the kid capital of the world,” Florida Hospital has seen a sharp increase in obese pediatric patients, leading to such problems as diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, and early death.  “It saddens me to tell you that we have children in Florida Hospital today, who are dealing with adult like conditions instead of being kids,” said Lars Houmann, Chief Operating Officer, Florida Hospital. 

At a press conference set at the Children’s Academy at Loch Haven, Florida Hospital joined with local businesses, government, and community leaders to sound the alarm on an issue which affects one and four kids—childhood obesity.  To help reverse this frightening trend, Florida Hospital is bringing the critical issue of childhood obesity to the forefront with their new book, SuperSized Kids: How to Rescue Your Child from the Obesity Threat. The book, which hits bookstands nationwide August 24, investigates why 8 million of our young Americans are overweight.  It also arms families with a strategy for living a healthier life.

Childhood obesity is such a concern in Florida, that Florida Governor Jeb Bush, along with other local government leaders, proclaimed the month of September Childhood Obesity Awareness Month to coincide with the book’s release.  “In order to ensure a healthier society for those kids, we must all join together and make a change.  I applaud Florida Hospital for writing and publishing SuperSized Kids, which empowers families with the information they need to live a healthy life,” said Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer.  At the press conference, these officials joined with Florida Hospital in challenging families to participate in healthier activities like those outlined in the 8-week program in SuperSized Kids.
 
At the heart of SuperSized Kids is an 8-week program designed to jumpstart families into a healthier lifestyle.  Prior to the book’s release, five Orlando families participated in the program run by the authors, Florida Hospital Dietician Sherri Flynt and Dr. Walt Larimore.  While on the program in SuperSized Kids, the five families lost 33 inches around the waist and 188 lbs—the size of two children.  “We hope the success of these five families is just the beginning,” expressed Florida Hospital President Don Jernigan, PhD.  “SuperSized Kids arms families across the country with the tools and information needed to develop a healthy, active lifestyle for the entire family.”

Interviews and video are available.  A tape rundown is available at http://www.floridahospitalmedicalnews.com/news-Florida-Hospital-System-id152.html

For more on the book, SuperSized Kids: How to Rescue Your Child From the Obesity Threat, visit www.supersizedkids.com

For more information, contact Florida Hospital Media Relations at (407) 303-8217.