Decreasing the high level of childhood obesity How is weight measured? BMI = Body Mass Index Overweight Obesity CONCERNS:  12% of normal weight teenagers become obese by age 30. (Berger, 2008)  About 12% of all U.S. teenagers are overweight which is more than any other nation that has been studied. (Berger, 2008)

Genetic Influences family history body type metabolic rate personality traits Applying Epigenetic Theory (Berger, 2008) Environmental Influences parents eating habits watching TV playing video games commercials/advertisements activity level

Trim Kids A Weight Management Program for Kids Location Mercy Health Plaza 5264 Council St. NE Cedar Rapids, IA Medical Director Stephanie Nomura, MD, MPH

This program is needed because… In 2007 Iowa’s obesity rate is 26.9% ( 2008) 25% of U.S. children ages 2-18 years are overweight. ( 2008) Daily participation in school physical education among adolescents dropped 14 percentage points over the last 13 years — from 42% in 1991 to 28% in ( 2008) One study found that approximately 80% of children who were overweight at aged 10–15 years were obese adults at age 25 years. ( 2008) If overweight begins before 8 years of age, obesity in adulthood is likely to be more severe. ( 2008)

TARGET AUDIENCE The following are characteristics of children struggling with weight management and obesity (Berger, 2008)  Exercise less  Higher blood pressure  watch more than 2 hours of TV per day  drink more than 2 cans of pop per day  poor school achievement  low self-esteem  depressed, lonely, anxious

Program Goals (Mercy Medical Center, 2008) 1. Make goal oriented plans to address specific lifestyle changes 2. Learn how to think, eat, and exercise in healthier ways 3. Help build strong emotional health and gain self- confidence

Strengths  Family-oriented  Works with individual needs  Provides child-care for younger siblings of the registered child  Well-trained staff  Well-developed programming  Affordable ($25 for 6 week session-if cost is an issue, then financial assistance is available to those who qualify).  Offers (4) six-week sessions over the span of a year. (Mercy Medical Center, 2008) Weaknesses  Meeting times only on Saturdays (For those who work on Saturdays, this would be a problem.)  Method of marketing program seems limited to only using the Internet. Improve this program by...  Publicize this program beyond the Internet to reach a wider audience, especially low-income populations who are less likely to have access to a computer or Internet services.  Offer program sessions at a variety of hours/days to accompany all individuals who may work odd hours, evenings, or multiple jobs.

References Berger, K. (2008). The Developing Person Through the Lifespan. New York: Worth. Center for Disease Control. (2008). Overweight and Obesity Data and Statistics. Retrieved from Mercy Medical Center. (2008). Trim Kids Program. Retrieved from kids/index.aspx. kids/index.aspx