Pediatric Residents and Miller Children’s Hospital Long Beach Fight Childhood Obesity Through A Community Fun Run and Health Expo

Kids line up at the start line of the 1K fun run as part of the Super Kids Sunday 5K and Fun Run at Granada Beach in Belmont Shores to help bring awareness to childhood obesity.

Obesity is becoming more of a problem for children everyday, leading to an alarming increase in the number of children and adolescents developing type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and sleep apnea. In Long Beach, 30 percent of fifth graders and 25 percent of seventh graders are obese, according to a report in the Press Telegram, which sparked the “Move Long Beach” initiative.

To help bring awareness to this growing epidemic, the Pediatric Residents from the University of California, Irvine (UCI) partnered with Miller Children’s Hospital Long Beach to host the second annual Super Kids Sunday 5K and Fun Run at Granada Beach in Belmont Shore.

“Childhood obesity is something that can be prevented through awareness, education and getting active,” says Jen Jen Chen, M.D., pediatric pulmonologist. “The Fun Run is a way for families to get outside, get active and learn about leading a healthier lifestyle. And most importantly, have fun while exercising.”

More than 100 kids and adults participated in the 5K and 100 kids ran in the 1K Fun Run. The event also featured a free Health, Nutrition and Fitness Expo at the finish line. The expo was created with kids and their families in mind, with interactive displays showing ways to eat smart and to make staying fit fun. In addition to games, the Miller Children’s Kohl’s Keeping Kids Safe program was on-site properly fitting helmets to ensure kids are safe when riding bikes while exercising.

Husband and wife duo, Bob and Trish, did a juggling performance at the end of the expo and also “joggled” (juggling while jogging) in the 5K. Funds raised will help support childhood obesity prevention, education, research and treatment programs at Miller Children’s.