The Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) School of Medicine Pediatric Club will host a Fall Health & Obesity Awareness Fair from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 8 at the Science Spectrum, 2579 South Loop 289.

Kyler Black, second-year medical student and Pediatric Club president, said this year’s health fair will focus on the growing epidemic of obesity.

“We wanted to host an activity that would meet a community need, yet, be fun for the kids who attended,” Black said.

In 2011, the Lubbock Board of Health reported that 38.7 percent of adults living in Lubbock were overweight and 77.6 percent of adults did not eat the daily recommended serving of 5 fruits or vegetables.

“We believe that the best place to treat this growing epidemic is not in the clinic, but in the home,” Black said. “If we can instill in children better eating and exercise habits from a young age, we help children live more healthy, happy lives and in turn, help reduce the number of obesity-related diseases affecting our community and nation.”

Parents and children can expect to learn fun ways to exercise with items they have at home, how to make tasty, healthy snacks and activities they can get involved in within the community.

Also available will be Body Mass Index stations, doctors, dieticians and other health services. There will be informative games and activities for kids of all ages, obstacle courses, contests and prizes and a bounce house.

“We invite the community to come have fun and learn as a family how to be healthier,” Black said.

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