Alpena Regional Medical Center will have a panel discussion about obesity and children on Sept. 25, featuring keynote speaker Thomas Peterson, MD, of Helen DeVos Children's Hospital. The event will take place from 6:30-7:30 p.m. in the ARMC Health Resource Center Theater.

Peterson has nearly 20 years of experience in pediatric medicine and is passionate in his work to reduce obesity and smoking. Community Health Outreach Coordinator Martha LaFave said Peterson will talk for about 45 minutes on the ramifications of obesity in children.

After Peterson speaks, a panel will address the audience with their concerns. Sienna Suszek from the MSU Extension office, Cheryl Lemke, an RN at Alpena Public Schools, and Paula Welling, an NP from Alcona Public Schools, will be panel members. Judy MacNeill, registered dietitian and ARMC wellness coordinator, also will be one of the panelists at the conference.

"We're very excited to have (Peterson) here. I'm looking forward to hearing what he has to say," she said.

MacNeill said one of the biggest concerns is that obese children tend to be obese as adults. This puts them at a higher risk for other health problems including diabetes, heart disease, some types of cancer, joint problems, sleep apnea, etc.

LaFave said a study of fifth-graders in northern Michigan's Lower Peninsula conducted by the North Central Council of the Northern Michigan Health and Hospital Association shows that 60-65 percent of students they studied have one or more risk factors of cardiovascular disease. Twenty percent of those students had two or more risk factors of CVD. Nearly 40 percent of those participants have a high body mass index.

"We, as an organization, recognize the epidemic of childhood obesity that is occurring and that there are no easy answers," MacNeill said.

She said obesity is a "multi-factorial" issue and can't be fixed by one or two solutions. She said it's going to take parents, teachers, schools, the government, health organizations, etc., to make a solution possible.

LaFave said this workshop will help the community understand obesity in children is a very important issue and will address what the parents, schools and the community can do to fight this trend so everyone is on the same page.

She said Peterson will speak to physicians at ARMC about the issue Friday.

The panel is sponsored by ARMC in collaboration with Alpena Public Schools, Alcona Health Center, Alcona Community Schools and NEMSCA Headstart. Pre-registration is suggested for the event as there is limited space available. Parents are asked to leave young children at home because of seating and because of the adult topic. For more information or to register, call 356-7337.

Crystal Nelson can be reached via e-mail at cnelson@thealpenanews.com or by phone at 358-5693.