Winston-Salem Launches Campaign Against Childhood Obesity

Winston-Salem Mayor Allen Joines launched a campaign to fight childhood obesity, including partnerships among organizations across the city, workshops, an exercise DVD and an interactive website that includes, among other things, talking vegetables and a video of the mayor doing push-ups. Called The Isle of Smile, the interactive website was designed and produced by Out of Our Minds Studios of Winston-Salem. Find the website at http://www.theisleofsmile.com/

The goal is to educate children ages 7 to 10 — and their parents — about the importance of good nutrition and enough exercise to prevent diseases such as diabetes.

Funding for the program was provided by the Kate B. Reynolds Foundation, Cook Medical and the Rotary Foundation. Read more.

Winston-Salem Animation Company Helps Fight Childhood Obesity

Winston-Salem leaders are planning a website and animated film to educate children about nutrition — and put a dent in the growing problem of childhood obesity. A task force including people from the city, public school system, Gateway YWCA, Winston-Salem chapter of The Links, Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Forsyth County, nutritionists and Out of Our Minds Animation Studios got together and developed the concept for the program. The website would use games to educate children about nutrition. Meanwhile, Out of Our Minds Studios, in addition to creating the website, will create an original animated film to teach children. "The quality of life of our children is soon to reach a tipping point," said John Cernak, the executive creative director at the studio. "I made a promise to my grandsons that I plan to keep. Our studio will help." Read more here.