Jun. 16--A program designed to put kids on the fast track to better health and fitness is being offered this summer at Pottsville Hospital and Warne Clinic.
Starting Wednesday, parents and their children are invited to participate in the hospital's Summer Shape Up class, a program that will encourage youngsters to eat healthier and increase their physical activity.
"It's taught in a fun way, but will also educate parents and kids about the importance of proper nutrition and exercise," said registered dietitian Jennifer Krawchuk, one of the program's coordinators.
The program will also introduce families to the hospital's upcoming pediatric weight management program that will continue this fall, Krawchuk said.
"The Summer Shape Up program will also give families a little more information about our Create Your Weight for kids program, if they want to reinforce what they learned by registering for that program in the fall," she said.
During the Summer Shape Up, an hour-long interactive session for children ages 7 to 12, kids will learn about maintaining a balanced diet by playing Food Pyramid Bingo, find out more about what's healthy or unhealthy about their favorite foods, make a healthy treat and participate in a fitness game.
"With so many children at risk today from obesity and sedentary lifestyles, we think it's important to give kids the confidence to make healthier choices," she said.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 45.6 percent of children ages 6 to 11 and 45.9 percent of adolescents ages 12 to 19 are overweight or obese. Obese children and adolescents account for 16 percent of Type 2 diabetes and tend to have at least one risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Overweight adolescents also have a 70 percent chance of becoming overweight or obese, researchers at the CDC have found.
The hospital began the Create Your Weight Pediatric Weight Management Program in early 2007. The nine-week program begins Sept. 4 and will be taught by hospital dietitians, said M. Michael Peckman, Pottsville Hospital's public relations director.
"The program teaches you and your child how to make changes to control their weight forever," Peckman said.
The Create Your Weight program costs $50; weekly sessions are 45 minutes each.
An individual dietitian consultation, with both parent and child, will precede the weekly sessions and will establish reasonable goals for the participants. Parent and child will attend the sessions.
The sessions will cover basic nutrition and meal planning, family involvement, snacking and grocery shopping, building self-esteem and confidence, learning about hunger and satiety, portion size, eating out and special occasion eating, physical activity, games and activities.
For more information, contact Krawchuk at 621-5277.
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