Sponsor: William Swanston Charitable Fund

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

A keynote address by a state health leader in the fight against childhood obesity and a panel discussion among local officials in that battle will highlight the William Swanston Charitable Fund’s 2015 Innovations Conference.

Keynote speaker for the Nov. 5 event is Dr. Emia Oppenheim, coordinator of the Ohio Department of Health’s Early Childhood Obesity Prevention Program. Her presentation is titled “Preventing Childhood Obesity in Ohio – Early Intervention is Key.”

The conference is set for 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Mill Creek MetroParks’ D.D. and Velma Davis Education & Visitor Center. Registration, required by Thursday, can be done online at the Wean Foundation website, rjweanfdn.org, or by phone at 330-744-5555. The cost is $15 per person.

The Swanston Charitable Fund, an affiliate of the Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley, sponsors the annual conference to present new ideas to those who work with children.

According to the Department of Health, childhood obesity results in an extra $19,000 in medical expenses per child over a lifetime. If Ohio could reduce obesity for even 10 percent of the state’s youngest children, it could realize $169 million in economic benefit, according to the state.

Evidence shows that intervening before the child reaches 5 establishes habits that promote health and reduce medical costs later in life.

The Early Childhood Obesity Prevention Program, coordinated by Dr. Oppenheim since 2013, implements scientifically based approaches to promote healthy eating and active living habits during a child’s formative years.

The panelists are Patricia Sweeney, health commissioner for the Mahoning County District Board of Health; Erin Bishop, health commissioner for the Youngstown City District Board of Health; Robert Pinti, deputy health commissioner at the Warren Board of Health; and Frank Migliozzi, commissioner with the Trumbull County Board of Health.

Also scheduled are three workshops: “Create Lasting Change: Developing Solutions That Produce Long-Term and Sustainable Improvements in the Community,” “Evaluation Design in Nonprofit Settings,” and “How to Reach Generation Z: Marketing Techniques That Work.”