More than 150 supporters of Pennington Biomedical and childhood health came together recently to learn more about the Center’s newest initiative, Greaux Healthy. Greaux Healthy is committed to preventing and treating childhood obesity and backed by more than 30 years of Pennington Biomedical research. With financial support from Louisiana state leaders, Greaux Healthy reflects a shared dedication to improving the health and lives of children across the state, both now and for generations to come.
PB researchers Drs. Peter Katzmarzyk and Amanda Staiano, along with Greaux Healthy Director, Melissa Martin, delved into the evolution of obesity research, emphasizing how these findings directly shaped the creation of Greaux Healthy.
"Pennington Biomedical has been the international authority on obesity and diabetes for nearly 35 years," Martin said. "Greaux Healthy is our way of translating this body of research and expertise into everyday practices within our communities."
Greaux Healthy aims to help expectant mothers maintain a healthy weight during pregnancy, prevent gestational diabetes, use technology to encourage families to be more active and prevent type 2 diabetes, and bring family weight-management programming to pediatricians’ offices, aiding children and their parents in improving their health together.
"It is imperative that our research and solutions get put into practice, and that we work with individuals around their whole life cycle, from before birth through young adulthood. We are doing this by partnering with childcare centers, schools, pediatricians, and community leaders," explained Martin.
Greaux Healthy comes at a crucial time in Louisiana. One in five children currently have obesity—the third-highest rate among all states. Recognizing the urgency, state leaders have supported this scientifically validated initiative, understanding its significance not only for fostering a better quality of life and a thriving economy but also for positively impacting health at each stage of a child’s life and in every environment. Once fully implemented, Greaux Healthy will expand to children and families across every parish in the state.
"We are very excited to see the research in academic journals come alive throughout Louisiana," said PB Research Foundation Interim President and CEO André Greene. "We look forward to expanding this initiative to every corner of the state by partnering with individuals and organizations who share our vision for a healthier Louisiana and can invest philanthropically in Greaux Healthy."