Greaux Healthy

09/03/2026

What keeps professionals coming back to the Childhood Obesity Conference? The opportunity to learn, connect, and leave with evidence-based strategies they can put into practice.

Pennington Biomedical Research Center’s 2026 Childhood Obesity Conference: Be the Reason Kids Greaux Healthy brings together healthcare professionals from across disciplines to share the latest science, practical approaches, and ideas for improving childhood obesity prevention and treatment across Louisiana.

See why past attendees are returning this year, and join them on September 24.

📅 September 24, 2026
📍 C.B. Pennington Jr. Conference Center | Baton Rouge, LA

Registration closes September 14. Secure your spot today!

🔗 bit.ly/be-the-reason-2026

09/01/2026

September is National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, and awareness is only the beginning.

More than 1 in 3 Louisiana children ages 6–17 have overweight or obesity. Childhood obesity is a complex, chronic disease, and improving children’s health takes all of us.

Families can build healthy routines at home. Educators can help create healthier school environments. Healthcare providers can identify obesity early and connect families with compassionate, evidence-based care. Communities can help make proven programs and resources more accessible.

At Pennington Biomedical Research Center, researchers are working to better understand how to prevent and treat childhood obesity. Through Greaux Healthy, we’re helping put that science into action across Louisiana.

This September, follow along as we share practical ways you can help build healthier futures for Louisiana children.

Be the Reason Kids Greaux Healthy. 💚

Ready to turn awareness into action? Read our latest blog to learn how you can help Louisiana children grow healthy: greauxhealthy.org/blog/childhood-obesity

08/31/2026

💚 Move More Monday 💚

What was your favorite activity to do after school as a kid? We asked Jacob Mey, PhD, Clinical Nutrition Researcher at Pennington Biomedical Research Center (and dad of two). Here's what he had to say.

Dr. Mey also shared advice for keeping your kids active outside of school: make it fun, play outside, choose activities that your kids enjoy.

The benefits of regular physical activity go beyond just physical health. Regular movement can also support kids’ mood, focus, and overall well-being.

Want more simple ways to keep your family moving? Explore the Greaux Healthy Resource Library: 🔗 greauxhealthy.org/resource-library

08/31/2026

Melissa Martin, Greaux Healthy Director, recently joined Brian Haldane on Mornings With Brian Haldane to discuss the initiative and Pennington Biomedical Research Center’s 2026 Childhood Obesity Conference: Be the Reason Kids Greaux Healthy. Healthcare professionals can learn more or register for the conference at bit.ly/be-the-reason-2026

Childhood obesity remains a major health concern in Louisiana, and the Greaux Healthy Initiative at Pennington Biomedical Research Center is working to give families, schools and health care providers practical tools to address it. Melissa Martin recently joined Brian Haldane on Mornings With Brian Haldane to discuss the initiative and the upcoming 2026 Childhood Obesity Conference. To view the full segment, visit https://talk1073.com/2026/08/28/pennington-biomedicals-grow-healthy-initiative-tackles-childhood-obesity-in-louisiana/

08/29/2026

When was the last time you asked your child about their everyday health habits?

🥦 How many fruits and vegetables do you eat?
📱 How much time do you spend on screens?
🏃 How much do you move each day?
🥤 What do you usually drink?
😴 How much sleep do you get?

The questions on our 5210+10 Healthy Habits Worksheet make it easy to start the conversation. Choose the worksheet that fits your child’s age, and take a few minutes to go through the questions together.

Download the worksheet now: greauxhealthy.org/resource-library

You can bring your answers to your child’s next checkup. Their healthcare provider can help you talk about what’s going well and identify small shifts your family can make together.

#5210

08/28/2026

🚨 Just a few days left to save on registration!

Early bird pricing for Pennington Biomedical Research Center’s 2026 Childhood Obesity Conference: Be the Reason Kids Greaux Healthy ends on August 31.

Join healthcare providers, researchers, educators, and community leaders from across Louisiana and beyond for a day of evidence-based learning, collaboration, and practical strategies to improve children’s health outcomes.

⏰ Early bird ends: August 31
📅 Conference: September 24
📍 Location: C.B. Pennington Jr. Conference Center in Baton Rouge

Register now and save: bit.ly/be-the-reason-2026

08/27/2026

Join Pennington Biomedical Research Center’s 2026 Childhood Obesity Conference: Be the Reason Kids Greaux Healthy on September 24.

Register now: bit.ly/be-the-reason-2026

LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center will host its 2026 Childhood Obesity Conference, “Be the Reason Kids Greaux Healthy,” on Sept. 24 at the C.B. Pennington, Jr. Conference Center. The conference, presented by the Greaux Healthy initiative, will bring together healthcare professionals, researchers, educators and community leaders to explore strategies for preventing and treating childhood obesity. To view the full article, visit https://hubs.ly/Q04vrTyR0

08/26/2026

🎤 Meet the panelists

Peter Katzmarzyk, PhD, FTOS; Amanda Staiano, PhD; Tim Gilbert, MD; Stewart Gordon, MD, FAAP; Leslie Lewis, MPH, RDN, LDN; & Katie Queen, MD, FAAP, DABOM (Moderator)

Session: Closing Panel: Scaling Comprehensive Care in Louisiana, What Comes Next? 🤝📈
Time: 3:00 - 3:45 p.m.

Join experts as they discuss challenges and opportunities to expand access to comprehensive pediatric obesity care across Louisiana. Engage in a meaningful conversation on ways to expand access to high‑quality treatment.

Join us at Pennington Biomedical Research Center’s 2026 Childhood Obesity Conference: Be the Reason Kids Greaux Healthy on September 24.

Register now: bit.ly/be-the-reason-2026

08/25/2026

Your family can help grow a healthier Louisiana. 💜

The Pennington Generation Study is bringing Louisiana families and Pennington Biomedical researchers together to learn how physical activity, nutrition, sleep, and other factors affect children’s health and growth.

By participating, your family can help researchers better understand the health of Louisiana children today and help shape healthier generations to come.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Louisiana families may be eligible to participate and can earn $30–$50 per visit.

Ready to be part of the Pennington Generation?

🔗 See if you or your family qualifies: greauxhealthy.org/pennington-generation

08/24/2026

Kids need 60 minutes of physical activity each day.

There are many ways to get the full 60 minutes! It doesn’t have to be all at once. Movement can happen in small bursts throughout the day, and every bit counts.

🧑‍🏫 A few minutes of Classy Moves in the classroom
🏃‍♀️ Running and playing at recess or during P.E. class
🙆‍♀️ A quick stretch between lessons
🤾‍♀️ After-school activities

Creating more opportunities for kids to move throughout the day can help make physical activity a natural part of growing up healthy.

Looking for easy ways to add more movement?
Read our blog about stretching: greauxhealthy.org/blog/easy-stretches
Resources for schools: greauxhealthy.org/dashboard