1The Oliver Foundation

Oliver Foundation Joins the as USDA's MyPyramid Alliance
Houston,TX September 08, 2009 - The Houston-based Foundation Shares a Common Goal in Keeping Children Healthy - The Oliver Foundation joins the United States Department of Agriculture's MyPyramid Alliance, which helps children understand how to create a balanced diet and what types of food their bodies need to maintain good health. The Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion, an organization of the U.S. Department of Agriculture created MyPyramid as a tool to translate the Dietary Guidelines for Americans into food recommendations to improve the nutrition and well-being of Americans. Complete Press Release

OrganWise® Guys Hit the Big Time
Battle Creek, MI February 01, 2009 - From W.K.Kellogg Foundation Newsletter February 2009: What do a Georgia chiropractor, a Louisiana State University star quarterback, a Texas foundation, and a Mississippi alliance fighting childhood obesity have in common? Why, a set of plush, colorful, talking organs, of course. The story begins in 1993 when the OrganWise Guys® came to life - ten winsome characters (eleven if you count both Kidney Brothers) designed to teach young children about their body's internal workings, and how healthy habits keep everything running smoothly. A few years later, creator Dr. Michelle Lombardo signed on to work with a program to address childhood obesity in Mississippi. It was then that Sir Rebrum® and his gang became stars of a successful model of health education for children, with books, DVDs, and grade-level curriculum packages. Complete Press Release

Being Smart About Going Back to School : The Oliver Foundation Suggests Healthy Lunches and Snacks Families Can Prepare Together
Houston, TX July 24, 2009 - The Oliver Foundation, a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization based in Houston, Texas encourages families to send kids back to school with the proper nutrition they need to succeed in the classroom. Planning ahead and cooking meals and snacks the night before will give students a head start in staying healthy and keeping fuel in the body. With the current economy keeping some foods off the grocery list, these ideas will help keep costs down while avoiding turning to fast food which is usually much higher in calories, fat and less nutrient dense than foods prepared at home. With a little extra planning, kids can get the proper nutrients that are vital to their healthy growth. Complete Press Release

And the Biggest Winner Is....Brazos Bend Elementary School!
Houston,TX June 17, 2009 - And the Biggest Winner Is.......Brazos Bend Elementary School! Three Schools Take Home Important Healthy Messages over Summer Break Three Elementary Schools in Fort Bend Independent School District have been ensconced in The Biggest Winner contest since March 23, 2009. Arizona Fleming Elementary, Brazos Bend Elementary and Dulles Elementary have involved the entire campus - the students, teachers, administrators and campus staff including, cafeteria workers and janitors in an eight-week competition to determine which school has the most participation in losing bad habits and building a healthy lifestyle. The ultimate goal for the program was to encourage students and their families to practice making healthy choices through the end of the school year and continue to employ those habits over the summer months. Complete Press Release

AustinWoman Magazine
Austin,TX August 01, 2008 - austinwoman August 2008 health Weight Loss Series, Pt. 7 Story by Darline Turner-Lee Courtesy of Darline Turner-Lee "I was stunned to see a 100 pound 5-year-old in my class. This poor child will have so much trouble doing so many of the activities that we have planned throughout the school year. It's really a shame." H.H. - special education teacher. Childhood obesity is becoming an epidemic in the United States and in many nations around the world. The U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention has recently redefined overweight and obesity for children: Obese - children in the 95th percentile for weight (formerly overweight) Overweight - children in the 85th percentile for weight (formerly at risk for obesity) Complete Press Release

Three Elementary Schools Square Off for THE BIGGEST WINNER Contest
Houston, TX April 13, 2009 - Three Elementary Schools in Fort Bend Independent School District will begin The Biggest Winner contest on March 23, 2009. Arizona Fleming Elementary, Brazos Bend Elementary and Dulles Elementary are involving the entire campus - the students, teachers, administrators and campus staff including cafeteria workers and janitors in an eight-week competition to determine which school has the most participation in losing bad habits and building a healthy lifestyle. The ultimate goal for the program is to encourage students and their families to practice making healthy choices through the end of the school year and continue to employ those habits over the summer months. The three elementary schools partner with The Oliver Foundation and Baylor College of Medicine to create the program and track the results. Complete Press Release

Mayor White Proclaims Houston Registered Dietitian's Day
Houston,TX March 06, 2009 - Mayor White Proclaims Houston Registered Dietitian's Day In Conjunction with the Oliver Foundation and ADA's National Nutrition Month Mayor Bill White proclaims March 11, 2009 as Houston Registered Dietitian Day, which coincides with National Nutrition Month, the American Dietetic Association's national awareness campaign for March. Along with initiatives of the Mayor's Wellness Council and the New Year New You! Challenge, the proclamation encourages families struggling with weight issues to consult a registered dietitian and get help in creating a healthy, balanced life. Currently, there are nearly 600 registered dietitians in the Houston area. Complete Press Release

Fried and On a Stick! Eaters Beware of Huge Portions and Hidden Calories at the Rodeo
Houston,TX March 03, 2009 - Fried alligator on a stick, foot long corn dogs, deep fried onions, chocolate dipped cheesecake on a stick, funnel cakes, turkey legs and deep fried candy bars and Oreos® - talk about falling off the chuck wagon. Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo goers look forward to eating their way through the Midway each year, but just how many calories are in those indulgent foods? It is estimated that frequent attendees can add up to seven pounds over the three weeks of roping, riding, calf scrambles and of course, the Midway. Complete Press Release

WATCH Week Health Fair at Sugar Land Town Square
Sugar Land,TX March 02, 2009 - The WATCH Week Health Fair will be held on Saturday, March 7, 2009 from 11 am to 3 pm in Sugar Land Town Square, 2711 Town Center Blvd. Fort Bend ISD"s Wellness Committee, the Safe and Drug Free Schools Department, Fort Bend County Medical Society Alliance and Sugar Land Town Square Management Company partner to bring the "Watching Your Wellness Health Fair" to FBISD students, staff and community. More than 50 booths will provide health information, giveaways, health screenings and entertainment. The Oliver Foundation Teen Board will provide a kids zone with games and physical challenges. Complete Press Release

Russell Shepard Making His Mark: On and Off the Football Field
Houston,TX January 05, 2009 - Making His Mark: On and Off the Football Field Russell Shepard Bids Farewell to the Oliver Foundation Teen Board Much has been written in the last few months about the Cy-Ridge High School, now LSU Tigers, star quarterback, Russell Shepard. What most people do not know about Shepard is that he is a member of the Oliver Foundation Teen Board, Y-E-A-H, Youth Excited About Health! The Oliver Foundation is a Houston-based non-profit organization dedicated to the prevention of childhood obesity. His contribution to the community and a younger generation of Houstonians has enabled him to leave yet another mark, off the football field. In 2005, along with seven other members, he was nominated by Dr. Ken Cohen, applied and was accepted to the Teen Board. With peers from middle and high schools across the greater Houston area, Shepard has mentored elementary aged children about eating healthy, getting exercise and being a leader in their schools and communities. Complete Press Release

No New Years Quick Fixes: Make it a Lifestyle!
Houston, TX January 02, 2009 - The three to ten pounds gained over the holidays, if not lost over the next few months, can add up to significant weight gain over a period of years. Although it only took a month to put them on, it will often take longer to come off. In order to lose a pound, one must burn or trim from the diet 3,500 calories, whether they are carbohydrates, fat, protein or calories from alcohol. Burning an extra 350 calories per day can add up to a loss of nearly 35 pounds per year. Many diets promise the quick loss of pounds, but the bigger question is, "Can I sustain this as a lifestyle?" Fad diets can be self-sabotage -- to lose the weight only to put it back on when resuming a normal diet. Why not start with a plan that will gradually build a healthy lifestyle? Complete Press Release

Holiday Strategies Can Help Maintain Weight Through the New Year
Houston, TX December 02, 2008 - While it is typically unrealistic to try to lose weight during the holidays, maintaining weight can be achieved by implementing a few key strategies. Most people will gain an average of three to five pounds from Thanksgiving to Christmas, which can even reach up to ten pounds by New Years. Those extra pounds, if not quickly discarded, can add up to a drastic weight gain over a period of just a few years. As weight increases over time, so do the health risks that come from putting the body under stress. The Oliver Foundation, a Houston-based non-profit organization dedicated to the prevention of childhood obesity suggests some simple tips to deter holiday weight gain. Complete Press Release

The Oliver Foundation to Present Healthy Cooking Demonstration
Sugar Land, Texas October 22, 2008 - The Oliver Foundation, a Houston-based 501 ( c )(3) organization dedicated to the prevention of childhood obesity, will present a healthy cooking demonstration at Family Math, Science and Health Night at Dulles Elementary School on October 28, 2008, 6:30 - 8 PM, 630 Dulles Ave., Sugar Land, TX 77478. There will be an opportunity for taping and interviews with Chef Tim Saddler, Deborah L. Woehler, MS, RD, LD executive director, The Oliver Foundation and Dulles Elementary School principal, Ginger Carabine. In addition to the healthy cooking demonstration, the Mad Scientists will be present with science activities for the whole family. Complete Press Release

Oliver Foundation releases Preliminary Results of Six-Year Longitudinal Study
Houston,TX November 17, 2008 - The Oliver Foundation, a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization based in Houston, Texas dedicated to the prevention of childhood obesity releases preliminary results of a six-year longitudinal study with Baylor College of Medicine in the Fort Bend Independent Elementary School District, the seventh largest district in the state of Texas with more than 30,000 students, K through 5th grade. This study follows a group of kindergarteners through fifth grade to monitor body mass index (BMI) and other health indicators. The program creates an environment for elementary school-aged children, which encourages healthy habits at an early age, providing them with DVDs, classroom activities, books and curriculum to understand why and how to make healthy choices for life. Complete Press Release

Evaluation of 72 Educational Vignettes for Prevention of Childhood Obesity
Houston, Texas October 03, 2008 - A series of 72 educational vignettes produced by The Oliver Foundation, The OrganWise Guys Inc. and the W. K. Kellogg Foundation were evaluated in a recent study by Baylor College of Medicine at a private Houston elementary school to determine the acceptability and effectiveness of the vignettes by elementary-age students, their parents and teachers. The OrganWise Guys "Shorts" are 30 and 60 second videos designed to increase awareness and improve knowledge about physical activity, nutrition and good citizenship utilizing puppet-like characters that represent organs in the human body. The school campus was chosen for an ethnically and economically diverse student population and garnered feedback from children four to 12 years old in grades pre-kindergarten through sixth grade. Complete Press Release

Back to School but Not Before Breakfast
Houston, TX August 12, 2008 - The Oliver Foundation, a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization based in Houston, Texas encourages families to make breakfast a priority for back to school. Families who eat dinner at 6 pm and breakfast at 7 am have gone 13 hours without eating. Children who skip breakfast and eat at noon will have gone 18 hours without food. During this lengthy period, children can develop headaches and feel lethargic and unfocused in the classroom. Sending children to school without breakfast is like driving a car without fuel. Complete Press Release

Oliver Foundation Teen Board presents at U of H Children's Theatre Festival
Houston, Texas June 24, 2008 - Houston, TX (June 24, 2008) - The Oliver Foundation Teen Advisory Board (YEAH! - Youth Excited About Health) will present healthy messages to young children attending University of Houston's Children's Theatre Festival on July 9, 2008 and July 16, 2008, 10:25 am to impart to kids ways in which they and their families can improve their health and live happier lives. Complete Press Release

The Oliver Foundation Awards a Community Grant to Sugar Grove Christian School
Houston, Texas May 20, 2008 - The Oliver Foundation will present Sugar Grove Christian School with a community grant of $5,000 for viewing and evaluating the 72 educational vignettes produced by the Oliver Foundation, OrganWise Guys and the W. K. Kellogg Foundation in the prevention of our nation-wide epidemic of childhood obesity. The grant awarded to Sugar Grove Christian School will fund a study to evaluate the impact of The OrganWise Guys® vignettes on students and teachers and ultimately the ability to affect change in their behavior. Complete Press Release

The Oliver Foundation Awards a Community Grant to Bounce Lite Program
Houston, Texas May 12, 2008 - The University of Houston BOUNCE Lite summer camp program recruits low-income minority girls (ages 9 - 14) and their mothers from the Eastwood neighborhood and Third Ward to participate in a program that introduces families to a healthy lifestyle. Located in close proximity to its residents, 40 mothers and preadolescent girls will benefit from this program, which provides practical strategies for healthy living in a culturally sensitive manner. The East End community demands urgent priority for focus on childhood obesity prevention programs and consists predominantly of Hispanics and African Americans who are statistically at an elevated risk for being overweight and obese. Complete Press Release

Governor Rick Perry Presents Proclamation for Hall of Fame Induction to Deborah Woehler
Houston, Texas May 05, 2008 - The Governor of Texas, Rick Perry issued a proclamation recognizing the outstanding career achievements of the Executive Director of the Oliver Foundation, Deborah L. Woehler, MS, RD, LD, who was recently honored by Purdue University for her career achievements. The Purdue University Department of Foods and Nutrition selected her for induction into their Hall of Fame, one of only five individuals to receive this esteemed annual honor. Complete Press Release

Executive Director of The Oliver Foundation Honored for Career Achievements
Houston, Texas April 22, 2008 - Houston, TX (April 22, 2008) The Executive Director of the Oliver Foundation, Deborah L. Woehler, MS, RD, LD, will be honored by Purdue University for her career achievements. The Purdue University Department of Foods and Nutrition has selected her to be inducted into their Hall of Fame, one of only five individuals to receive this esteemed annual honor. Complete Press Release

Chef Jon Ashton to Hold Cooking Demo for Students
Houston, Texas April 15, 2008 - Chef Jon Ashton, a regular guest chef on NBC's Today Show,will provide students at Arizona Fleming Elementary School, 14850 Bissonnet, in Fort Bend Independent School District, with an entertaining and educational Iron Chef style cooking demonstration, integrating a secret ingredient into two entrees and two desserts cooked right before the students. A panel of students and teachers will judge the food items Chef Ashton prepares. Complete Press Release

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