Program takes aim at S.C.'s high rate of childhood obesity

It looks like nothing more than an arcade video game. But doctors, politicians and researchers are hoping it will pave the way for South Carolina to overcome its high rate of childhood obesity and related-health problems.

The Zest Quest Station is a state-of-the-art, interactive machine that records height, weight and body mass index. It was unveiled Monday at six Upstate schools.

The machine should give researchers "actual numbers," as one pediatrician put it, on the health of the state's young people.

Meanwhile, Zest Quest -- a program endowed by Greenville developer Jim Anthony -- will target students labeled "at-risk" for the health problems doctors believe are linked to obesity. The students will be provided with mentors who will encourage healthy eating habits and exercise.

In addition to taking information about students' health, the Zest Quest Station asks questions to test their knowledge about healthy living.

Students performing well -- and showing improvement during the school year -- will win prizes. The top prize is a stay at a summer fitness camp.

"We can take these children and look at their problems and their levels of fitness and nutrition, and we can follow them along life's road and see how they're doing," said Richard Hawkins, a partner in the Steadman-Hawkins Sports Medicine group, in a prepared statement. "And then hopefully we can act upon that to see if, in fact, we can make some differences."

George Haddad, a Spartanburg pediatrician, noted that childhood obesity is linked to such problems as diabetes, hypertension and depression -- problems that can last into adulthood.

The program was kicked off Monday at Cowpens Middle School in Spartanburg County School District 3. Cowpens is one of six schools in a pilot study, and researchers plan eventually to put Zest Quest stations in schools across South Carolina.

Principal Vernon Prosser said he believes students will use the Zest Quest Station and learn more about the steps toward good health.

"Students at this age have to be entertained," he remarked, "and this is high-interest. It's well thought-out."

While not all students are overweight, most can improve their habits, said seventh grader Ryan Westbrook.

"(Students) don't feel like eating fruits and things because potato chips taste so good," he said.

Baker Maultsby can be reached at 562-7425 or baker.maultsby@shj.com.

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PHOTOS BY TIM KIMZEY
Cowpens Middle School teacher Edith Ann Grant tries out the Zest Quest Station, which assesses height, weight and body mass index during a launching of the program at the school Monday morning. The fitness plan is designed to educate and motivate students to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

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