|
|
|
Health
Matters,
by Leslie Bek
New
program offers support to families with overweight children
I want to introduce our readers to a new program, Committed to Kids
(CTK), but I need to first take a few steps backward.
January is the month that eight out of ten adults resolve to do something
in the New Year with regard to improving their health status; the top
two vote getters are breaking a tobacco use habit and losing weight.
In February, Health Matters focused on weight loss, new U.S. Government
food pyramid guidelines and a local resource called Overeaters Anonymous.
I had intended to move on to other issues this month, but have been
drawn back again to the behavioral aspects of weight loss.
I can’t let go of the weight loss topic because, frankly, it will
not let go of me. Our federal government has announced additional, new
and improved exercise guidelines that made the mainstream media headlines.
“Exercise an hour and a half a day to maintain good health status.”
I am not kidding.
I now know of the source of a recent groan heard around the United States.
An hour and a half a day? How can a person of any age be expected to
sit at a desk at work all day, drive from Point A to Point B, unwind
after work sitting on the couch watching TV, take care of household
responsibilities and still be expected to get in a full hour and a half
a day of exercise?
On another weigh-related note, knowledge of the film Supersize Me recently
fell into my lap. Some friends began discussing the movie around the
lunch table. I knew I had to rent that video sooner than later.
The title refers to the former McDonald’s Corporation campaign
to offer its customers even bigger portions—“just ask to be
supersized.” The film was an attempt to prove the assertion of
two young women who were accusing McDonald’s of contributing or
causing their personal obesity. The main character eats nothing but
McDonald’s food for breakfast, lunch and dinner for a month.
Thirty days of Mickey D’s to determine if the food, when eaten
as intended, as a breakfast, lunch and dinner option, did in fact result
in poor health outcomes. The film was fact-filled.
My first thought was, it has taken us over twenty years to get to the
R.J. Reynolds tobacco company types with such a lawsuit and now someone
actually thinks they can do the same with a cheeseburger and fries?
Well, legal precedent had been set I guess.
According to their Web site, the Committed to Kids program is a medically
managed team approach to a healthier weight. Participation in the CTK
program gives kids and parents practical tools for breaking the vicious
cycle of childhood weight problems.
Success means more than weight loss. Other benefits include emotional
well-being, improved nutrition status and a reduction in risk factors
for heart disease, cancer and diabetes.
The Committed to Kids team includes pediatricians, registered dietitians,
exercise specialists, behavior therapists, nurses and parents.
Team members work together to ensure that each child reaches his or
her goal of physical and emotional well-being.
Uncontrolled weight gain can be devastating emotionally and physically
for a child. I am particularly concerned about the teasing, taunting
and bullying that children can fall victim to as a direct result of
their overweight status.
The Committed to Kids program is an individual approach conducted in
a group setting.
Each child receives a baseline assessment (medical, behavioral, nutritional
and fitness) at the start of the program. After the baseline assessment,
individual goals are set by the team and child.
Group sessions are scheduled for the next twelve weeks (one quarter).
Meetings include nutritional education, behavioral counseling, fitness
activities and medical monitoring. In addition, each child receives
an individualized home-based program of entertaining exercise and motivational
videos.
The participant’s parent or another adult also will attend the
weekly meeting. After the first twelve weeks, the Committed to Kids
team meets with each family to set new goals. Families are encouraged
to commit to the program for a full year to get the most benefit.
To participate in CTK, interested families will need a referral from
their doctor. If you don’t have a family doctor, CTK will refer
you to a physician for a well-child evaluation. Call 225-6955 for details.
Parents inherit the responsibility to raise a healthy child. I have
not met a parent who does not want only good things for their child.
I have not met a parent who does not strive for their child to live
a life that is better than they did.
I have met many parents who are challenged by the responsibility of
parenthood. I have met many parents who are in need of support on a
variety of issues. I have met many parents who are committed to their
kids.
This local program will assist families in addressing the potentially
life-long struggle of weight management.
—Leslie Bek
Editor’s Note: For details about CTK, visit www.committed-to-kids.com
It is National Nutrition Month; look for resources regarding nutrition
and health at www.eatright.org
|
