Pennington Biomedical Research Center unveiled its Greaux Healthy initiative on Thursday at the Red Stick Farmer’s Market. This public service program aims to improve the health of children across Louisiana at every age. Developed in collaboration with the State of Louisiana, Greaux Healthy draws on 35 years of Pennington Biomedical’s research to provide tools, resources, and programs for children, parents, healthcare providers, and educators statewide.
Governor Jeff Landry highlighted the initiative’s clear mission: “To make Louisiana’s children healthy again.” He praised the collaboration between Pennington Biomedical, his administration, and the Louisiana Department of Health to build a healthier future for the next generation.
Dr. John Kirwan, Executive Director of Pennington Biomedical, stressed the initiative’s strong scientific foundation. “Greaux Healthy reflects our commitment to creating solutions from cells to society,” he said. “Its strength lies in more than three decades of groundbreaking research by our world-class team.”
Officials pointed out that childhood obesity is a serious public health crisis in the U.S., affecting one in five children. In Louisiana, 23.1 percent of children live with obesity, placing the state third highest nationwide. The Greaux Healthy program is designed to reverse this trend and improve outcomes.
Melissa Martin, Director of Greaux Healthy, stated, “We are dedicated to being the most trusted partner in preventing and treating childhood obesity.” She added that their resources are research-based and practical for families to use daily, helping them build healthier futures.
The initiative focuses on four key groups: expectant families and parents of infants, preschoolers, school-aged children, and adolescents and young adults. A recent survey of Louisiana parents and pregnant women showed childhood obesity as the leading health issue affecting children—greater than smoking, mental health, high blood pressure, or diabetes.
Since its launch, Greaux Healthy has introduced many effective tools throughout Louisiana. The program promotes healthy behaviors in schools through physical education lessons, take-home newsletters, and classroom activities. These materials are currently used in over 20 schools in Baton Rouge, Shreveport, Lafayette, and other areas, with plans to expand from 4th to 8th grades in the 2025-2026 school year.
In childcare centers, the initiative provides Early Childhood Education training to implement best health practices, focusing on giving young children a healthy start. Trainings have taken place in Baton Rouge, with plans to expand through partners and online learning.
For healthcare providers, Greaux Healthy offers education on evidence-based childhood obesity treatments. The Greaux Healthy Provider Hub, an online platform, provides free toolkits and continuing education through webinars aimed at improving obesity care.
Dr. Peter Katzmarzyk, Chief Scientific Officer for Greaux Healthy, emphasized the importance of early health and nutrition. “We have built a strong foundation of evidence-based prevention and treatment, and this initiative puts that knowledge into action,” he said. “By focusing on health from early stages, even before birth, we help children grow into healthy adults.”
To reach communities statewide, Greaux Healthy will launch a tour with its Healthy Moves bus visiting all nine Louisiana Department of Health regions. At each stop, leaders will engage with educators, healthcare professionals, government officials, business leaders, and the media.
The Pennington Generation research study will join the tour, enrolling families interested in learning how factors like physical activity, nutrition, and sleep affect children’s health and development.
Greaux Healthy is guided by a national scientific advisory board with experts from Tufts University, University of Florida, Duke University School of Medicine, Columbia University, Temple University, and Nationwide Children’s Hospital.
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