Learn how to fight diabetes and obesity in Pomona Saturday – Inland Valley Daily Bulletin

POMONA >> Healthy eating and healthy living in Pomona will be topics of a forum taking place Saturday morning at Western University of Health Sciences.

The program, organized by Pomonas Health Promoters, will include topics such as diabetes prevention, obesity and the effects of drinking beverages with high sugar content, said Alejandra Martinez, program director of Pomonas Health Promoters.

Pomonas Health Promoters is a group of volunteers who have trained to assist fellow Pomona residents with a variety of issues, particularly health questions.

There are people in the community who are worried about diabetes, Martinez said. But we should be talking about the prevention of diabetes.

Promoters have brought together a group that includes health care professionals, representatives of health policy groups and others to talk about steps to a healthier life. Among the participants are representatives of the Universitys Western Diabetes Institute, City of Hope, Day One and Mt. San Antonio College.

Promoters have heard people talk about exercise and safety. People are interested in getting out of their houses, being more active and engaging in physical activity at local parks, Martinez said.

Some people say, Were going to go the park, but we dont feel safe there, she said. Local officials will be on hand Saturday to hear such concerns.

One of the panelists participating in the program will be Alfredo Camacho-Gonzalez, a healthy communities initiative project coordinator with Day One. The nonprofit works on quality, culturally sensitive public health education, intervention and policy development, according to the organizations website. Specifically, it seeks to increase access to healthy foods, make it easier for people to exercise and offer nutrition education, he said.

Such work is positive but cant end there, he said.

We back it up with policy change, Camacho-Gonzalez said.

The more people take part in activities that are healthy, the more it leads to policy that supports and continues to foster healthy behavior, he said.

Were trying to make healthy behavior the norm through policies and environmental changes, he said.

Pomona is a city where many people grow fruits and vegetables in their gardens, Martinez said. Rather than allowing the fruits and vegetables to go to waste, people can exchange produce, giving people greater access to healthy foods, she said.

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Its about sharing ideas and creating new pathways to healthier eating practices, Martinez said.

Program registration begins at 8 a.m., with a healthy breakfast served at 8:30. The program will begin at 9 a.m. and conclude at noon.

Translation services will be available at the event.

The free event will take place at Western Universitys Veterinary Care Center, 611 E. Second St. Parking is available in Lot E on First and Palomares streets.

For information, call Martinez at 909-927-2345.

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Learn how to fight diabetes and obesity in Pomona Saturday - Inland Valley Daily Bulletin