Hospital, Insurer Provide Pediatric Weight Management Program
Posted on: Monday, 15 November 2004, 03:00 CST
Sacred Heart Hospital, Allentown, and Highmark Blue Shield have partnered to provide KidShape, a family-based pediatric weight management program for families with overweight children ages six to 14.
The hospital said that eight-week programs, sponsored in the region by Highmark Blue Shield, help families with overweight children achieve weight management through better nutrition, increased physical activity and improved self-esteem.
One parent/guardian is required to attend with each enrolled child, and other family members may attend when appropriate.
Each class lasts two hours and is divided into three 40-minute periods.
Period 1: A registered dietitian teaches adults and kids together about the right way to achieve a healthy weight.
Period 2: Adults and children meet in separate groups with a behavior change specialist. Parents will receive support from other parents and children will receive support from other kids, is a key to changing old habits.
Period 3: The adults have an opportunity to discuss more specific questions, while the kids have at least 30 minutes of continuous, fun, aerobic exercise. During two of the weeks the adults exercise with the kids.
Leslie Carroll, MD, FAAP, chair of pediatrics at Sacred Heart Hospital, heads the KidShape team comprised of Stephanie Gardner, site coordinator; Suzanne Ickes, RD, LDN, a registered dietitian certified in adolescent/child weight management; Lisa Lindenmuth, MS, exercise physiologist; Armita Navarro, secretary, Spanish- English translator; and Lori Unser, MSW, behavioral change specialist.
The program "is not only a comprehensive approach to attaining a healthier lifestyle through behavior modification but also addresses the mental health concerns such as low self-esteem that are often associated with overweight children," said Carroll.
"In addition to low self-esteem, overweight children are also often at greater risk for asthma, heart disease, high blood pressure, arthritis and type 2 diabetes," Carroll said.
Sacred Heart Hospital is a 243-bed Catholic medical center located in Allentown.
Copyright Eastern Pennsylvania Business Journal Oct 18, 2004
Source: Eastern Pennsylvania Business Journal
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