Newark, NJ—The New Jersey Hospital Association (NJHA)
recently honored several individuals and organizations for their
commitment to healthcare during its 90th Annual Meeting in Princeton.
KidsFit Newark, an innovative pediatric weight loss and fitness
program at Children’s Hospital of New Jersey (CHNJ) at Newark
Beth Israel Medical Center, was a recipient.
The Community Outreach Award for Reducing Healthcare Disparities
was awarded to CHNJ for its Kidsfit Newark:
A Comprehensive Wellness Program for Kids. This
pediatric obesity program was established to address the prevalence
of overweight and obese youngsters in the greater Newark area and
to help the community’s children and families overcome this
pressing health and social issue.
“KidsFit Newark is based on a multi-disciplinary model that
reaches all aspects of the pediatric and adult obesity problem
in the inner city environment,” said Co-Directors Barbara
Mintz, MS, RD, and Nwando Anyaoku, MD, Director of Pediatric Ambulatory
Services at Children’s Hospital of New Jersey. “We
are pleased that our program has been acknowledged by the NJHA
Awards.”
The Pediatric Health Center at CHNJ offers the pediatric weight
management program. A small group composed of peers receives professional
guidance from pediatricians, a nutritionist, exercise physiologist
and social worker, and children set personal diet and exercise
goals and received coaching to help them meet their goals. Participants
in the 8-week program have a two-hour group meeting and exercise
session each week. KidsFit reaches children ages 7-18, providing
them with realistic health-focused and life-changing programs to
teach them to make healthier choices about food and show them how
to integrate exercise into their day-to-day lives.
KidsFit Newark began in November 2007 and a total of 63 children
have participated to date, with 94 percent experiencing a reduction
in Body Mass Index (BMI is a relationship between weight and height
that is associated with body fat and health risk.) Where
there was no reduction in BMI or weight, there was growth and an
increase in muscle mass. The program has expanded from
one class weekly to two. Future plans include bringing the
program to local schools in Newark and increasing the numbers of
participants.
Additionally, many children who have graduated have asked to return
to the next session and participate in the classroom as peer mentors.
“This peer component is crucial as it serves as support
and reinforcement while providing a role model and mentorship for
those children going through the current session,” said Dr.
Anyaoku. “It also speaks to the effectiveness and sustainability
of the program model.”
Additionally, parents have requested follow-up sessions for themselves
and their “graduates.” These sessions are held twice
monthly in a group format and serve as reinforcement to education
and support as well.
A pediatrician can provide a referral to this program by calling
(973) 926-2884.
About Children's Hospital of New Jersey
Children's Hospital of New Jersey, located at Newark Beth Israel
Medical Center and part of the Saint Barnabas Health Care System,
is the state's premier hospital caring for children, with specialized
services to treat ill and injured children from newborn to adolescent
years as well as preventive programs that promote wellness in the
community. For a referral to a pediatrician or pediatric specialist,
please call 1-888-724-7123.
Date: May 4, 2009
CONTACT: Beth Salamon, Public Relations, (973) 322-4926
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