Claxton-Hepburn

Challenging Childhood Obesity The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 23.9 percent of the state of New York's children and adolescents are obese, while around 17 percent are obese nationwide. BEING OVERWEIGHT is defined as having a body mass index (BMI) of 25 to 29.9 percent, while obesity is a BMI of 30 or more. A variety of factors lead to this serious health issue. "Childhood obesity can stem from genetic and environmental influences," says Fozia Bakshi, MD, FAAP, pediatrician at Claxton Hepburn Medical Center's Canton Health Center. "In terms of genetics, children of obese parents are at higher risk for becoming obese than those with non-obese parents. With environmental factors, children eat what is available at their homes. When parents eat unhealthy meals and have high-fat diets, so do the children." Children struggling with obesity are at high risk for many physical and emotional health issues, including: • Breathing problems • Depression • Heart disease • High blood cholesterol • Liver disease • Sleep apnea • Social discrimination • Type 2 diabetes Being Proactive To encourage children to stay at a healthy weight, parents should practice prevention techniques, such as checking school menus to help ensure nutrition outside of the home, encouraging physical activity and outside play, and setting an example for kids by maintaining a healthy diet of fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins. If your child struggles with obesity, visit www.claxtonhepburn.org to contact a pediatrician at Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center. GETTING TO KNOW DR. BAKSHI Fozia Bakshi, MD, FAAP, pediatrician at Canton Health Center, attended medical school at Khyber Medical College in her home country of Pakistan before moving to the United States with her husband and children. She completed her residency at New York Cornell Methodist Hospital. Dr. Bakshi enjoys the pediatric field because of the opportunities to help children grow and develop and the strong focus on preventive health. When Dr. Bakshi is not treating patients, she enjoys hiking, reading, and growing her own vegetables and herbs. A History Worth Reading In 2010, Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center celebrated 125 years of providing care and service to Ogdensburg residents. To commemorate this centennial event, the Claxton-Hepburn Archives gathered photographs and stories to preserve the facility's rich history. VOLUNTEERS THERESE KELLY (A. Barton Hepburn School of Nursing class of 1959) and Francis Van Horne (A. Barton Hepburn School of Nursing class of 1947) joined staff members of Community Relations and the Foundation to sift through boxes of photographs until a clear outline of the facility's story began to emerge. Together with Arcadia Publishing, St. Lawrence University research assistant Kelsey Redpath, and local historian David E. Martin, the team worked together to produce a softcover coffee-table book. "This project has touched many parts of the community, from its conception to its publication," says Cindy Clusen, executive director of the Claxton-Hepburn Foundation. "People who pick up the book see many of their family members and friends, as well as the great legacy of care for the community." After hundreds of photos and patient testimonials were gathered in spring 2011, the book was published in November and has met with a great response. "Seeing people's enjoyment of this book has been so rewarding," says Clusen. "We encourage members of the community to visit the Claxton-Hepburn gift shop to purchase their copy today." Want to see where Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center's been and where it's going? Purchase Images of America: Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center by visiting the gift shop or ordering a copy from Arcadia Publishing at www.arcadiapublishing.com. Celebrating 125 years of building trust.

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