Meaningful Changes for Childhood Obesity

Obesity is quickly becoming an epidemic in children and teens. Depending on whose statistics you believe, 13 to 30% of American children are overweight. In fact, a recent survey in Houston, Texas found that 37% of their public school students weighed 20% or more than the average weight for kids of the same age and height. Nineteen percent of the school kids were considered obese, which is often defined as 30% overweight in children.

Alarming Statistics

Childhood obesity is linked to both medical and emotional problems. If changes are not made during childhood, children are at risk for low self-esteem, depression, isolation, high cholesterol, abnormal bone development, sleep apnea, heart disease, high blood pressure, certain cancers and two diseases that until recently were considered adult diseases. Type II Diabetes has had a drastic increase in the pediatric population. Also, a disease that most parents have never even heard of called Liver Steratohepatitis threatens to become a major health problem in obese children. If this drastic increase in heavy children doesn't change, this generation will be the first in over a century to have a shorter life expectancy than their parents.

Hillcrest Fun & Fit Teens

In response to this crisis, experts at Children's Medical Center and Hillcrest Exercise and Lifestyle Programs have developed a comprehensive, medically supervised 8-week weight management program called "Fun and Fit Teens". This program invites the teen to participate in weekly meetings and group exercise sessions. The group classes are informative and fun, and create a setting that encourages the teen to take steps toward becoming a healthier person. Listed below is a sampling of the class topics.

• What is Healthy Nutrition
• Your Body's Metabolism
• Daily Food and Calorie Needs
• Fun With Activity
• Attitudes and Social Settings
• Healthy Food Choices
• Motivation & Routine
• Body Image
• Listening To Your Body's Cues
• Peer Relationships
• Healthy Stress Management
• Making Health Snacks
• Activities for the Whole Family

Parent Involvement

The 8 week Fun & Fit Teen series involves the teen's parent(s) in group parent meetings to help parents understand the critical role they play in supporting their teen's weight control efforts. With physician approval, the teen's parent(s) may also exercise during the weekly sessions.

Program Fees & Enrollment

The Fun & Fit Teens program is $300 per teen. Payment methods include cash, personal check, Visa & MasterCard.

For additional information and enrollment, please call 579-4959.