April 2, 2004

Contact: Kimberly Stark, (901) 333-4023, (901) 489-4771-cell -- Marilyn Duncan, (901) 333-4247

SOUTHWEST KIDDIES GET READY TO ‘SHAPE AND BAKE’

Children in the child care centers at Southwest Tennessee Community College are getting set up to “Shape and Bake” in an effort to bring awareness to the rise in childhood obesity.

The centers on the Macon Cove and the Union Avenue campuses recently received a $25,000 grant from the Assisi Foundation to develop the ‘Shape and Bake’ program. As part of the “Healthy Memphis” Community Obesity Awareness campaign, the centers will present lifelong, healthy eating patterns to preschool-age children and their parents.

Over a five-month period, some 25 to 30 families will attend monthly dinnertime meetings at which the parents will work with a nutritionist to prepare a quick, easy and nutritious meal, while discussing the health risks associated with obesity. At the same time, the children will participate in a ‘kiddie workout’ led by a music and movement specialist. The families will then reunite to eat the prepared meal. At the conclusion of the meeting, each family will receive a recipe book and a kiddie workout video.

Southwest will incorporate the materials developed through the program into the curriculum of the centers to encourage healthy eating and regular exercise.

The Macon Cove Campus Kids Corner and the Union Avenue Campus Early Childhood Education Center provide care for children of students, faculty and staff. Center hours are 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

For more information, call (901) 333-4365.