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Monday, November 10, 2008

University of Nevada School of Medicine and UMC to Launch Project HOPE

Project HOPE (Health Options for Prevention and Education) is a Three-Year Research Study to Combat Childhood Obesity

The epidemic of obesity threatens the very lives of our community’s children. With excess weight, children can suffer the ill effects of diabetes, high blood pressure and cholesterol. Even more disturbing is the fact that these serious medical conditions can shorten the life span.

James Lau, M.D., and Patricia Lau, MPA, are responding with hope—“Project HOPE” (Healthy Options for Prevention and Education). A press conference will be held to launch Project HOPE on Thursday, Nov. 13, 1:15 p.m. at Roy Martin Middle School,
200 North 28th Street, Las Vegas. UMC Chief Operating Officer Brian Brannman is scheduled to speak along with other project partners. Before the press conference, Roy Martin Middle School students will take a one-mile walk around their neighborhood from approximately 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. City of Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman will speak to the students upon their return at 2:00 p.m.

Dr. Lau is Chief, Division of Bariatric Surgery, University of Nevada School of Medicine, a UMC-affiliated physician and Project HOPE’s medical director. Patricia Lau is Project HOPE’s program administrator. The study is supported by a number of community partners including UMC, the City of Las Vegas, Clark County School District, Children’s Heart Center, FedEx Kinkos, Fresh and Easy Neighborhood Markets, Zappos.com, National Concierge Association, Clark County Soccer League and the Junior League of Las Vegas.

During the study, project staff members will work with students to encourage them to develop healthy eating habits and to include daily exercise among their activities. As part of that, project staff will weigh and measure the Roy Martin Middle School students and track their body mass index (BMI). Collecting BMI-at-School is the Centers for Disease Control guideline that will be used in the study. In addition, students will be provided with an education manual about the recommended guidelines for good nutrition and vigorous physical activity. The manual was developed by Dr. William Evans and Dr. Gary Mayman with the Children’s Heart Center. The Fresh and Easy Neighborhood Market located on Eastern and Fremont is donating fresh fruits and vegetables which will be integral to the healthy eating component.

Furthermore, the middle school students will be asked to participate in a walking program and maintain a daily activity log. To assist with this component, Zappos.com is
donating nearly 1500 pedometers and each student will be provided with one. According to a 2007 Stanford University study, use of a pedometer is associated with significant increases in physical activity and weight loss.

According to Dr. Lau, "For the most part, childhood obesity can be prevented. As an academic physician, I would like to teach students about healthy behaviors such as eating nutritious foods and exercising regularly. If taught at an early age, children can learn about a healthy lifestyle that may help them avoid chronic diseases during adulthood."

"Project HOPE is a collaborative effort that allows UMC to join the University of Nevada School of Medicine in its aim to promote good health in this community," said Kathy Silver, CEO of UMC. “An integrated medical team from UMC will provide assistance to Project HOPE staff regarding nutrition, physical fitness and pediatric medicine.”

Additionally, the research group has made arrangements with Dell H. Robison Middle School to serve as a control group. Project HOPE staff members will monitor these students for their BMI levels, but no education and intervention measures will be taken. During the three years, Patricia Lau will analyze the BMI levels from students at both schools and trends will be identified. Project staff will be working with school-based nurses, teachers and administrators to carry out the study.

Contacts:
Patricia Lau, MPA, Project HOPE Program Administrator
(702) 671-2255/(702) 384-7506 (Fax)

Tammy McMahan, UMC Public Relations Specialist
(702) 383-3617/(702) 383-3774 (Fax)

About University Health System:
University Health System, the clinical practice of the University of Nevada School of Medicine, offers medical care in more than 40 specialties. We are the largest medical practice in the state with University Health System doctors and surgeons practicing and teaching medicine in Las Vegas, Reno and throughout Nevada. We serve more than 120,000 patients each year in our medical clinics and 35,000 hospital patients. University Health System provides health care support to nearly every major hospital and clinic in Nevada.

About UMC:
UMC is the only public, non-profit hospital in Clark County and operates the state’s only Level I Trauma Center, Level II Pediatric Trauma, and Lions Burn Care Center. The hospital offers the highest level of care in a 10,000 square mile radius. UMC is affiliated with the University of Nevada School of Medicine and serves as the state’s major clinical campus. Through its affiliation with the School of Medicine, residency programs in emergency medicine, internal medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, family practice, general surgery and pediatrics are offered at UMC. UMC operates several Quick Care and Primary Care clinics around Clark County. UMC has a state-of-the-art Picture Archiving and Communication System. Several specialty service lines including orthopedics, pediatrics, neonatology, cardiology, neurology, and oncology, among others, are available at the hospital. Visit www.umcsn.com for more information.

Contact Information:
Tammy McMahan
(702) 383-3617
Tammy.McMahan@umcsn.com
University Medical Center
1800 West Charleston Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89102