Hickory woman works to improve children's health

Lynn Winkler never thought she’d be working with children, but is happy things turned out that way.

“Getting across the importance of nutrition to kids can be challenging,” said Winkler, registered dietitian and wellness coordinator for Catawba Valley Medical Center’s Healthy House.

“Getting them to change is difficult. But we’ve had some real success in getting children and their families to make healthy changes. And that’s very rewarding.”

Healthy House, a grant-funded facility on the campus of Catawba Valley Medical Center, is dedicated to preventing and treating the growing problem of childhood obesity. Now in its third year, the program is one of the only initiatives of its kind in the nation, targeting at-risk children through a partnership with Catawba County’s Head Start program. At-risk children include those from lower-income families or those whose parents (one or both) are obese. The pediatric treatment program is open to any child in Catawba County who qualifies.

Catawba County Public Health says approximately 38 percent of children ages 2 to 18 are overweight or obese in Catawba County, compared to about 34 percent of children statewide. Nationally, the prevalence of childhood obesity has tripled in the last 40 years and is now the second leading cause of preventable death.

Like many health conditions, experts say both genetics and environment play a role in obesity. Children who are overweight may be genetically predisposed to being bigger, but several things magnify the problem: widely available fast food, super-sized portions, snacking, inactive hours spent in front of a TV or computer, and using food to cope with emotional stress.

Experts say being overweight can lead to such health problems as diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, asthma, sleep apnea, joint and foot problems, and depression and self-esteem issues.

“As a nation, if we don’t make some changes we’re headed for disaster,” said Dr. Vondell Clark, medical director at Healthy House.

“There’s a tsunami on the horizon, and the time for action is now.”

Healthy House’s prevention initiative — the wellness FAN (fitness, awareness, nutrition) program — provides education, activities and resources that can lead to the prevention of obesity in high-risk children. Healthy House also offers a variety of treatment options for children already dealing with obesity.

Currently, most participants in Healthy House’s childhood obesity prevention program are coordinated through Catawba County’s Head Start initiative. However, the treatment program is open to any child in the community who has a need. Both programs are developed by Catawba Valley Medical Center and overseen by Clark.

At Healthy House, programs are designed to increase physical activity and teach children about nutrition. The renovated house includes colorful rooms for play as well as learning, a fully-equipped kitchen, and a multi-purpose court where youngsters play volleyball, soccer and other sports.

“A lot of times, we’re teaching inactive children to play again,” Winkler said.

“We’re showing them that moving can be fun.”

At the same time, children and their parents get comprehensive, practical instruction in nutrition — what foods are good for them and which foods aren’t; how to shop for healthy foods on a budget; healthful food preparation techniques; even how to grow fruits and vegetables. Healthy House includes a sustainable garden out back in which children are invited to help plant and harvest food.

All programs are free. Funding to supplement Healthy House prevention and treatment initiatives comes from the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust and the Duke Endowment.

Winkler came to Healthy House in a roundabout way. After receiving undergraduate and graduate degrees from Appalachian State University, the registered dietitian worked in the Charlotte area for a decade. While there, she was dietitian for cardiac rehabilitation programs of Carolinas Medical Center, ran a “Heart of a Woman” program educating women about heart disease risks, and taught nutrition at Queens University.

She and her husband, Chris, and son, Peyton, moved to Hickory four years ago.

Winkler has been with Healthy House since its inception, at first as a part-time dietitian.

She believes in the Healthy House mission, and in the concept of changing personal habits in order to change individuals, families, communities and, ultimately, nations.

“You can’t just tell people what to do, you have to show them,” Winkler said.

“And the whole family needs to get involved. You can educate a child, but without the support of the whole family, the changes won’t be made.”

A Spruce Pine native, Winkler comes from a close-knit family. She tries to incorporate the lessons she learned from her parents and those she learned in school in her work and in her own family life.

“I make an effort to cook at home as much as possible,” Winkler said.

“We have family meals together, just like we did when I was a kid. And I’ve always talked to my son about healthy foods. We have those conversations, and I know he gets it.”

During the past three years, more than 500 children have attended prevention programs at Healthy House, and 300 children have attended its treatment program.

Winkler, who wants Healthy House to be recognized as the primary resource for childhood obesity in this region, recently presented at a national Smart Start conference in Greensboro.

“We’re making a difference,” Winkler said.

Hilary May, owner of Stretch-n-Grow Preschool Fitness and Health Education in Hickory, believes Winkler and Healthy House will continue to make a positive difference.

May has sought guidance from Winkler in approaching families that she believed might benefit from exposure to Healthy House.

May recalls one family in particular, and said Winkler helped her to speak with them effectively.

“Lynn gave me the tools to speak with them, as well as the encouragement, and this family is now being educated by Lynn and the Healthy House,” May said.

“Her tutoring of me in making the recommendation led me to do the one thing I’m the most proud of in the five years I’ve been running Stretch-n-Grow. Lynn is making huge strides with the entire family, and for me, that means everything.

“Lynn is successful because she exudes kindness, humility, grace and love.”

And for Winkler?

“Healthy House is a natural fit,” she said.

BIO BOX

Name: Lynn Winkler

Age: 39

Job title: Registered dietitian and wellness coordinator for Catawba Valley Medical Center’s Healthy House

Education: Appalachian State University, Master of Arts degree in Family and Consumer Sciences (Foods and Nutrition)

Also: Certificate of Training in Childhood and Adolescent Weight Management through American Dietetic Association

Professional background: Clinical dietitian at Carolinas Medical Center Union in Monroe; cardiac rehabilitation dietitian for Carolinas Medical Center main cardiac rehabilitation program in Charlotte; ran “Heart of a Woman” program to educate women about heart disease risks; taught nutrition at Queens University

Family: Married to Chris Winkler, operations director at The Jackson Group Inc.; one son, Peyton, 9

Professional affiliations: American Dietetic Association; Catawba County’s Eat Smart Move More board

Church: Corinth Reformed United Church of Christ

Eating habits: Favors Mediterranean diet, emphasizing fruits, vegetables and whole grains, healthy fats such as olive oil, limited amount of meats and dairy products

Professional goal: “I want us to be the primary resource in this area for childhood obesity.”