ADDRESSING CHILDHOOD OBESITY TOGETHER

"The prevalence of obesity in Hawaiʻi's young people continues to grow with potentially devastating consequences for our families, our communities, our healthcare system and our patients," said Dr. Raul Rudoy. "Childhood obesity can cause serious physical and mental problems. As an example, it is estimated that two thirds of obese 5-10 year old children demonstrate at least one important cardiovascular risk factor, and that one third of all U.S. children will develop diabetes. Another important aspect of obesity is the social stigma and discrimination associated with obesity and the resulting low self-esteem."

The Hawaiʻi Medical Service Association (HMSA) Foundation has announced it will provide $419,790 over three years to support the establishment of the Hawaiʻi Initiative for Childhood Obesity Research and Education (HICORE) within the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Hawaiʻi John A. Burns School of Medicine.

In early 2008, representatives from different sectors of the community, who are involved in obesity and treatment programs, participated in a two-day retreat. Their goal was to examine the need for a coordinating, comprehensive program to facilitate and guide research and education in childhood and adolescent obesity. The HICORE initiative is the result of that retreat. The mission of HICORE is to provide leadership in education and research to better understand and combat the obesity epidemic and to treat and improve the life of children and adolescents with complications of obesity. By bringing together individuals and organizations in Hawaiʻi, HICORE will be better able to understand and address the childhood obesity epidemic, especially among the most vulnerable of Hawaiʻi's children and families.

"We're very pleased to support HICORE in its efforts to combat childhood and adolescent obesity in our community," said HMSA Senior Vice President and VP HMSA Foundation Cliff K. Cisco. "Obesity poses a serious health concern for our children and Hawaiʻi's health care system. The work of HICORE will go a long way to address this concern, and the HMSA Foundation is proud to support this important work."

The funds from the HMSA Foundation will be key in establishing HICORE and can be used for personnel, office supplies and equipment, communications, travel, meeting and conference expenses, website development and IT services, and other expenses related to fulfilling the purpose of the HICORE project.

At the check presentation ceremony from L- R: Virginia Hinshaw, Chancellor UH Mānoa; Cliff K. Cisco, Senior Vice President, Hawaiʻi Medical Service Association (HMSA) and Vice President HMSA Foundation; Dr. Jerris R. Hedges, Dean, John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM); Dr. May Okihiro, Medical Director of HICORE, Department of Pediatrics, JABSOM; Dr. Raul Rudoy, Pediatric Department Chair, JABSOM; Kathy Nelson, Vice President for Development, University of Hawaiʻi Foundation