New group promotes health awareness for youth

It's not always easy to be healthy, but taking steps to improve nutrition and activity level are important - and for the youths in Yuma County, it's a good idea to teach good habits early.

A new local group called the Yuma County Steps Coalition want to make sure children in Yuma County get off to a healthy start.

Sandi Veitch, nutrition program coordinator for Yuma County Health District, said the idea behind the organization is to raise public awareness.

"We want to bring the community and organizations together to see how we can change behavior in this community," Veitch said. "We have a tremendous problem with obesity and the diseases that go along with it."

Veitch said some of the problems associated with obesity are heart disease, diabetes, high cholesterol and high triglycerides.

She said she's known some children to have some of these problems very early on in life.

"They shouldn't have to worry about heart disease at 10-years-old," she said.

The group is comprised of representatives from organizations such as Health Choice, the Yuma Community Foundation, Gadsden School District, the cardiac rehabilitation department of the YMCA, Sunset Community Health Centers and Chicanos por la Causa - Early Childhood Development.

And Veitch said it's not just a coalition focused on the youth in the City of Yuma or south county. She said the group wants to reach out to all the residents in Yuma County.

Lucy Murrieta, outreach coordinator with Sunset Community Health Centers, said some of the conditions that contribute to poor health include low income, no insurance, lack of access to health care, lack of transportation, language barriers and lack of education services available.

Especially in today's struggling economy, Murrieta said it can be difficult for people to stay healthy.

"They don't care about the (health) education because they're worried about paying their bills next month," she said.

Group members say they would like to establish a network of speakers to reach out to community groups,  provide role model training and outreach and hold community forums where educators, policy makers, local organizations and the community can gather to share ideas and information.

Members of the coalition met Thursday and say they hope to add additional members in the future. At the meeting, members adopted bylaws in order to receive future funding and grants and brainstormed on ways to help reach out to the community. The group will meet at least five times a year.

There is no simple answer, Veitch said. But with the coalition, she said, they can work together to be more powerful, affect change and make a difference in Yuma County.

"Just for people to know that we're here - make this a campaign in Yuma County," she said.

For more information about the coalition, or if you or your organization are interested in joining, e-mail Sandi Veitch at Sandra.Veitch@co.yuma.az.us.

Arizona youth by the numbers:
12 % of youth in Arizona were considered obese
68 % of Arizona youth did not meet currently recommended levels of physical activity
85 % of youth in Arizona did not eat the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables per day

Source: Steps To A Healthier Arizona Initiative