Division of Public Health combats childhood obesity

35.6 percent of children are overweight in the state of Delaware, according to the Nemours Delaware Survey of Children's Health. 

In order to help improve that statistic the Division of Public Health is working with the Physical Activity Nutrition and Obesity (PANO) Program to teach students and the community how to live a healthier lifestyle.

"We work with providers of childcare, and we work with people that teach the providers," said the Director of the Physical Activity Nutrition and Obesity Program, Laura Saperstein. 

"We have many different partners so that we're getting the word out there so that in your setting if you come into contact with children you want to be able to teach them good nutritional habits," said Saperstein. 

Teachers at the Milton Elementary School worked with the Division of Public Health to talk one-on-one with students about the importance of eating healthier foods. 

"I think any time you can just give the little kids a food for thought and even if they have one last candy bar a day or pick a white milk out of chocolate milk for less sugar or drink a glass of water for each day, it's a win to make a small thing so as an adult they're not completely re-learning how to eat," said the Physical Education Teacher, Lindsey Eichner.

According to school officials, The Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program is encouraging and helping kids to eat more fruits and vegetables. 

"We get the blackberries, the blueberries, strawberries, kiwi and we get different kinds of melons," said the Cafeteria Manager, Cyndi Clendaniel. 

"We get on the vegetable side, peppers and that's one thing the students don't really care for," said Clendaniel. 

The Nemours Delaware Survey of Children's Health also says children between six and eleven and are Hispanic or black are more likely to be overweight than other ethnicities.