Beating the 'Summer Slump'
Program teaches low-income kids about healthy eating and exercise

Ioana Patringenaru | July 19, 2010

Children take part in activities during the Summer Fun Cafe kickoff.

Children tossed peppers. They dribbled lettuces. They took part in a sack race dubbed the tater tot challenge. They were all taking part in a Nutrition Decathlon, designed to teach them about healthy food and exercise. The competition was part of the kickoff event for the Summer Fun Café, a program run in partnership by the San Diego Unififed School District, the City of San Diego, UC San Diego and other agencies. More than 1,700 parents and kids turned out for the celebration, which included a free barbecue, prizes and a vegetable and fruit giveaway.

UC San Diego staff member Larissa Johnson is one of the program's key organizers.

Summer Fun Café is designed to beat the so-called “Summer Slump” in physical activity and healthy eating that takes place once school is out. Children gain twice as much weight during the summer as during the school year, according to a 2007 report in the American Journal of Public Health. In addition, childhood obesity rates in the United States have tripled over the past 20 years. Overweight children often become overweight adults and are more vulnerable to the wide range of health problems associated with obesity. The Summer Fun Café takes a stab at reversing these trends.

“I think it’s awesome,” said Nicole Brauch, who brought her two children to the program kickoff June 24. “It’s wonderful that they’re doing something for the community and for these children. It’s needed.”

Children took part in sack races.

Brauch had walked to the celebration at Skyline Hills Community Park near Lemon Grove from a nearby low-income neighborhood. She said she would take advantage of free lunches for her children this summer. Like many parents, she can’t afford to sign them up for expensive summer camps, she said, so the program is a win-win for her. “It’s free, and it’s entertaining and it’s educational,” she said.

The Summer Fun Café is serving the free lunches until Aug. 27 at nearly 40 sites throughout the city, including Park and Recreation Centers, schools, YMCAs and some military bases. San Diego Unified provides the food for the program. The city’s Parks and Recreation department provides the sites. UC San Diego provides games for the events, trains volunteers and works with other non-profit organizations.

“We’ve had a really long-term partnership with UCSD,” said Sally Spero, a food planning supervisor for San Diego Unified. “I think it really adds to the attraction of the events.”
Each Summer Fun Café location also will host a barbecue day and a Mexican fiesta day during the summer. At these events, parents will be able to pick up free vegetables and fruits. They and their children also will be able to take the Power Up Your Summer Challenge by going through an obstacle course or doing the limbo.

The activities were also offered during last month’s kickoff. At the event, many children mobbed Larissa Johnson, a UC San Diego staff member dressed in a carrot costume who was handing out Padres pennants. She asked the children to show off their dance moves before handing out her goodies. When she ran out of pennants, she handed out carrots.

UCSD staff members helped come up with all the games offered at the event.

Johnson, a UCSD community health program represenatative, is one of the program’s key coordinators. Health and fitness are a personal concern for her. She lost family members, including an uncle, to Type 2 diabetes. After attending Tufts University, in Boston, she became an AmeriCorps Promise Fellow in 2005 and worked with volunteers. She also taught dance classes and worked in afterschool programs. Physical activity recharges your batteries and eating healthy food empowers you, Johnson said. Physical activity also makes you happy, she added. “I just like when people smile,” she explained.

While their children played nearby, many parents visited booths that provided information and resources for low-income families from organizations including San Diego Gas and Electric and Mission Federal Credit Union, among others. Parents also stood in line to receive free lettuce, tomatoes, potatoes and celery. Finally, the whole family came together to enjoy hamburgers and hotdogs, with watermelon for dessert and low-fat milk, plain or chocolate flavored, as a drink. Teresa Williams came to the event with her three children. They always take part in free lunch programs during the summer, she said. “It’s about time they thought of us low-income parents,” said Williams. “It’s great to see they have a heart for our kids too.”