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OB/GYN grant connects obesity, sports by Heather Woolwine Public Relations With increasing rates of childhood and adolescent obesity come various plans for combating the expanding waistlines of children and the chronic health conditions brought on by excess weight. While many of these approaches deal with education, a new collaboration among MUSC, the Charleston County School District and the Dae Foundation seeks to address these issues and more through a love of sports, especially basketball.   Made possible by a South Carolina Prevention Partnership grant, The Wilmot Fraser Project: Prevention of Obesity and Enhancement of Physical Fitness in Children with a Multidisciplinary After School Program, officially began at the Harper Student Wellness Center in early February.   While MUSC exercise physiologists, nutrition experts, dietetic interns and skilled sports trainers from the community are involved with the program, the grant was prepared and proposed by an MUSC OB/GYN physician.   Participants in the MUSC and Dae Foundation grant for the prevention of obesity begin a sprint as Jermel President times their speed.   “I was looking at renewing a grant for the prevention of pre-term births and starting thinking about the prevention of other things that lead to chronic conditions,” said Roger Newman, M.D., Obstetrics-Gynecology professor and vice chair for Academic Affairs and Research. “Childhood and adolescent obesity is becoming a popular topic, and everything just kind of came together. My daughter takes basketball skill lessons from Jermel President, and after talking with him, it seemed like this was something that we could do. While some of these methods in trying to teach children about healthy lifestyles are not new, the allure of basketball with a skilled trainer is. Basketball Basics 101, offered by the Dae Foundation, is a powerful impetus for student participation.”   Kevin Simmons, left, looks to trainer and former professional basketball player Jermel President for confirmation while participating in a basketball drill.   A former College of Charleston basketball star who went on to play in professional leagues prior to dedicating his time to Charleston’s youth, President is the founder and CEO of the Dae Foundation. A local non-profit organization, Dae strives to mold children and adolescents into skilled, effective and responsible citizens, students and student-athletes. According to its mission statement, Dae encourages and trains student-athletes to develop skills not only in sports, but academics.    “Whether they’re black, white, rich or poor, we want to help get rid of the negative stigmas associated with athletes—that they can’t excel in academics or achieve in life skills and decisions,” President said. “We work with them not just on their athletic skills, but also preparing for standardized tests, studying in school and time management. Our approach to academics and athletics lays a solid foundation for children to become well-rounded, productive students and instills self-confidence, healthy habits and important life skills that will stay with them through their youth and into their adulthood. We are working to provide a safe haven for student-athletes.”   “Jermel has a real desire and focus to help underserved and disadvantaged children achieve great things, and I think he saw this grant as an opportunity to reach children in a Title I school who would otherwise have no money or access to a program like the one Jermel offers through Basketball Basics 101,” Newman said. “I just thought it would be a novel opportunity to all work together and do something to combat the growing obesity problem, as well as getting area children into a program that’s good for them.”   Wilmot Fraser Elementary school was selected for the grant because its demographics represented the very individuals associated with elevated levels of adult and childhood obesity, including households that sit below the poverty level, have low percentage rates of high school graduates, and have high rates of unwed mothers.   The program is available to girls and boys between 7 and 12 years old. Three five-week sessions, offered during the course of the year (winter, summer school and fall), will enroll 30 children per session, thus reaching 90 children in its first year.   The sessions are divided by age, with one group of children aged 7 to 9 and the other aged 10 to 12. Transportation is provided to and from the school in the afternoons by First Student Bus company and children are brought to the Harper Student Center gym. Students are expected to be motivated and ready to make lifestyle changes. A multidisciplinary collaboration of health care educators from MUSC, school educators and nurses from the Charleston County School District, and Dae  sports trainers, including President, provide nutritional information, physical activity education, and basic basketball skills training.   “Sports are a great way to stay out of trouble, stay fit, and sharpen your academic potential,” President said. “But it's frustrating that some of the kids that need it most can’t get to it. This project is putting it out there so they can get to it. Eventually we’d like to target all schools and create a win-win situation for the entire area.”   Newman, like President, is also optimistic about the program. “It’s been really fun to organize and I would love for it to be a success. Hopefully it can turn into a model for other schools in fighting childhood obesity and the chronic disease that comes with it.”     Friday, March 9, 2007 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Island Publications at 849-1778, ext. 201.