The Windham athletic track hosted the launch of a new program on Monday morning that hopes to combat childhood obesity in the greater Portland area.

After the students and teachers from the Windham Primary School made a two-lap trek around the track, representatives from Let’s Go! announced the beginning of a five-year effort to promote healthier lifestyles in children in Windham and other local towns.

“I can’t tell you how proud I am that this initiative is being launched in Windham,” said Susan Gendron, commissioner of the Maine Department of Education, who was in attendance.

Let’s Go! was started by the United Way of Greater Portland in collaboration with Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Maine, Hannaford Bros. Co., MaineHealth, Maine Medical Center, TD Banknorth and Unum. The charity received a $100,000 grant from Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation at the Oct. 1 event.

The other towns Let’s Go! is targeting are Cape Elizabeth, Cumberland, Gorham, Falmouth, Freeport, Portland, Scarborough, South Portland, Westbrook, Yarmouth and North Yarmouth.

“We want each community to take responsibility,” said Robert Lipsman, the Let’s Go! project manager. She said obesity is a major health risk among American children.

The Centers for Disease Control completed a survey of Maine high school students in 2005. It reported 11 percent were overweight and 14 percent were nearly overweight.

Lipsman said there is no magic cure for obesity. Her programs promotes healthy eating and exercise as the pathway to good health.

“Parents have a huge impact,” said Lipsman. She said parents can create an environment in the home that encourages a healthy weight, such as offering milk and water to drink instead of soda or sugar-saturated juice.

She said parents should get away from using food as a reward for good behavior, and offer kids things like letting a friend stay over.

Lipsman also said this mode of thinking can extend to the classroom. Instead of giving an all-star test-taking class a pizza party, they could be given an extra recess.

Other goals of Let’s Go! is to get towns to build more walking trails and businesses to encourage employees to be more physically active.

letsgo4-5: Windham Primary School students and teachers walked laps around the Windham athletic track Monday before the the launch of the Let’s Go! program. Let’s Go! attempts to combat obesity in Southern Maine by promoting physical exercise and good eating habits.letsgo2-3: Windham Primary School students made signs and banners for the launch of the Let’s Go! program on Monday at the Windham athletic track. Let’s Go! attempts to combat obesity in Southern Maine by promoting physical exercise and good eating habits.letsgo2-3: Windham Primary School students made signs and banners for the launch of the Let’s Go! program on Monday at the Windham athletic track. Let’s Go! attempts to combat obesity in Southern Maine by promoting physical exercise and good eating habits.letsgo4-5: Windham Primary School students and teachers walked laps around the Windham athletic track Monday before the the launch of the Let’s Go! program. Let’s Go! attempts to combat obesity in Southern Maine by promoting physical exercise and good eating habits.letsgo1: Jeff Vermette of the Windham School Board, at left, makes a swimming motion as part of a song promoting physical exercise from the Let’s Go! anti-obesity program. Vermette and other representatives from the Windham Department of Education attended the launching of Let’s Go! on Monday with the students of the Windham Primary School.letsgo6: Windham Primary School students were given bags filled with frisbees hacky sacks and pamphlets on healthy eating Monday before the launch of Let’s Go!, a program that attempts to combat obesity in Southern Maine by promoting physical exercise and good eating habits.