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Today, obesity ranks as the most common chronic disease among children and adolescents, with one in three children ages 2-19 being overweight or obese. Obesity can result in numerous health problems, low self-esteem and depression. Statistics show fifty to seventy percent of obese children remain overweight as adults, putting them at much greater risk for developing lifelong health problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease.
In 2005, Saint Francis Health Zone and The Children’s Hospital at Saint Francis teamed up to offer a unique program for overweight and obese children and teens aged 7-15. The program, called ShapeDown, is a family based pediatric weight management and wellness program that teaches healthy lifestyle behaviors, including eating and activity habits. The program offers nutrition and physical activity sessions focusing on the whole family making positive lifestyle changes.
TRACS! (Tracking, Reinforcing, and Continuing Success) is the maintenance phase of the ShapeDown program and is offered on an ongoing monthly basis for families that have completed the initial phase of the program. ShapeDown graduates are expected to attend TRACS! for a minimum of three to six months after completion of ShapeDown to facilitate maintenance of lifestyle modifications.
ShapeDown features age appropriate, fun, and interactive sessions focused on nutrition, behavior modification and physical activity. The program is led by a team of specialists experienced in providing physical activity and nutrition education aimed at children and teens. The team includes a program coordinator, exercise specialists, pediatric dietitians and a behavior modification specialist.
ShapeDown is made up of 12 sessions with families participating in two sessions per week. Each session consists of 60 minutes of physical activity and 30 minutes of nutrition education. Parent sessions are held while the children participate in physical activity and these sessions are led by dietitian or behavior modification specialist.
Families learn about healthy lifestyle behaviors and set goals for change in the areas of nutrition, screen time and physical activity. In addition, nutrition topics include healthy eating using MyPlate, portion sizes, meal planning, dining out and grocery shopping using information on nutrition labels.
Class size is limited to 25 children to facilitate staff to client interaction and support. Individualized lifestyle screening, fitness and nutrition assessments are conducted at the beginning and the end of each session. Classes are conducted year round at Health Zone, a part of Saint Francis Health System.
Health Zone is located Northeast of 71st and Yale, (5353 East 68 Street) on the Saint Francis Health System Campus. ShapeDown classes are led by a team of clinical staff, registered dieticians and exercise specialists. ShapeDown is open to members and non-members of Health Zone.
Classes are held year round and the 2011-2012 ShapeDown dates are as follows with classes being held on Mondays and Wednesdays:
Early Fall: August 29-October 10, 2011
Late Fall: October 24-December 5, 2011
Winter: January 9-February 15, 2012
Early Spring: March 5-April 18, 2012
Late Spring: May 7-June 13, 2012
Summer: June 25-August 6, 2012
For more information or to enroll in the program, please call Health Zone at 918-494-8214 or email Lauren.
 
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