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Sadly, the environment we live in is not very supportive when it comes to changing behavior. Food is everywhere and easy to get. Super-sized soft drinks are the order of the day. We drive everywhere and park as close as to the door as possible. If left unchecked, obesity will supplant smoking as the most preventable cause of disease for Americans.
The good news is that Landstuhl Regional Medical Center’s Pediatric Health Intervention Team, PHIT (pronounced fit), U.S. Army Garrison-Kaiserslautern Health Promotion and Well Being Council and other community partners are working together through “Operation PHIT Kids” to fight the childhood/adolescent obesity problem. The initiative began in 2003 and many children and families have been helped, said Joyce Patrick, Director, LRMC Wellness Center.
For those families with at risk or overweight children (at risk is the term used to describe youngsters who are likely to become obese adults) and who are ready to take action, LRMC offers SHAPEDOWN, a 10-week program consisting of an hour-and-a-half session each week. It is geared toward behavior modification, such as making healthy food choices and exercising more. Upon completion, all participants are followed up with for a year.
“Most of the kids in SHAPEDOWN make significant behavior changes and have lost weight,” said Ms. Patrick.
The Wellness Center, Bldg. 3722, will host an “Open House” from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Thursday to let parents, children and anyone interested in learning more about “KMC Operation PHIT Kids” to meet members of the PHIT team, ask questions and sign up for SHAPEDOWN.
For more information contact Ms. Patrick at 06371-86-8614 or 486-8614.
