ARIZONA

TITLE OF WORKGROUP/TASK FORCE: AzAAP Early Childhood TaskForce Obesity Prevention Workgroup

KIND OF WORKGROUP: State

SCOPE OF WORK: Form a group of pediatricians and other partners to develop strategies to prevent childhood obesity in Arizona, develop a position paper to inform the Arizona First Things First Board of projects and activities that could be implemented through First Things First to improve nutrition and physical activity of youth in Arizona, assist in developing methods for implementation of activities and interventions by working with community partners, including Arizona universities, hospitals, Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), Indian Health Service (IHS), the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS), and health plans.

PARTNERS: Private practice pediatricians and other health care providers, Arizona State University and University of Arizona faculty, ADHS staff, Arizona ACOG representative, pediatricians working at FQHCs and IHS, a pediatric endocrinologist from Phoenix Children's Hospital

ACHIEVEMENTS: The Obesity Prevention Workgroup has created a partnership of interested pediatricians and community partners to work collaboratively on obesity prevention. Throughout the last year, the workgroup gathered information and research, met via conference calls on a regular basis, and developed strategies for childhood obesity prevention. As a part of the conference calls, participants were asked to share their expertise and information about barriers/challenges and innovative programs and best practices. As a result of the meetings, the group created a position paper and an executive summary, as well as a one page letter to the Arizona First Things First Board with specific interventions that this group could consider for implementation and funding. The group also recommended training suggestions on best practices regarding nutrition and physical activity for the Arizona Child Care Health Consultant Program. Additionally, the workgroup chair recently presented the position paper to the Arizona AHCCCS (Medicaid system in Arizona) Medical Directors and requested that AHCCCS partner with the workgroup to help prevent childhood obesity.

CHAPTER WORKGROUP REPRESENTATIVES/CONTACTS: Rene Bartos, MD, MPH, FAAP, chair (rene7@cox.net)

WORKGROUP WEB SITE: http://azaap.org/arizona-chapter/obesity-workgroup.aspx

WORKGROUP PUBLICATIONS/RESOURCES: Position Paper-Preventing Obesity in Children and Youth Executive Summary-Preventing Obesity in Children and Youth Letter to Arizona First Things First with specific recommendations for funding and implementation Nutrition and Physical Activity guidelines/training suggestions for the Arizona Child Care Health Consultant Program

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CALIFORNIA

NAME: HOPE (Health professional Obesity Prevention via Education)

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: We are developing a multidisciplinary, healthy living counseling curriculum to educate pediatric clinians-in-training on how to recognize children at risk for obesity co-morbidities and how to promote healthy dietary choices and increase physical activity among children and their families. The curriculum will be designed and tailored specifically for medical and dental trainees by a team of experts representing the fields of nutrition, medicine (pediatrics and family practice), dentistry, behavioral psychology, and education. This project is funded via the Vitamin Cases Consumer Settlement Fund and will be distributed to all pediatric medical and dental training programs in the state.

TARGET AUDIENCE: We are primarily targeting clinicians (both medical and dental) in training with this program but resources will also be available to all clinicians who treat children.

KEYWORDS: obesity education

YEARS OPERATIONAL: 2

KIND OF PROJECT: Individual Member

PARTNERS: University of California, San Diego Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego

CONTACT PERSON: Jeannie Huang, MD, MPH

CONTACT INFORMATION: Phone: 619/543-7544; E-mail: jshuang@ucsd.edu

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NAME: Healthy For Life/PE4ME

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Fitness and nutrition program in school system from preschool to hight school. Aerobic and resistance training asw ell as nutrition education. FREE

TARGET AUDIENCE: Overweight and normal weight children 3-18 years of age in the public or parochial school system

KEYWORDS: PE4ME

YEARS OPERATIONAL: Now in year 5

KIND OF PROJECT: Individual Member

PARTNERS: St. Joseph's Health System

PROJECT WEB SITE: www.pe4meonline.com

CONTACT PERSON: Michael Weiss, MD

CONTACT INFORMATION: E-mail: mweiss3@cox.net

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CONNECTICUT

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TITLE OF WORKGROUP/TASK FORCE: Nutrition & Physical Activity/Obesity Prevention Task Force

KIND OF WORKGROUP: State

SCOPE OF WORK: The Connecticut Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics in cooperation with the Opportunity Knocks Collaborative, the University of Connecticut Health Center, and the "Fit for Kids" program has recently formed a Nutrition & Physical Activity/Obesity Prevention Task Force, with the goal of organizing a statewide summit of healthcare providers engaged in the prevention of childhood obesity. The intial meeting will provide an opportunity for pediatric providers including pediatricians, family practice physicians, obstetricians, physician assistants, registered dietitians, and advanced practice registered nurses to share experiences and discuss practice techniques for the prevention and treatment of pediatric overweight and obesity. The goal will be to develop and offer a single collaborative chronic care model to pediatric providers across the State of Connecticut. The task force will then organize several learning collaborative sessions to educate these practices in the use of this model. When the model is put into practice, data can then be collected on a large, statewide scale, thereby further contributing to the already scant medical literature.

PARTNERS: "Fit for Kids" program at the chronic care center at Middlesex Hospital in Middletown, CT. The Opportunity Knocks Collaborative in Middletown, CT. University of Connecticut Health Center

CHAPTER WORKGROUP REPRESENTATIVES/CONTACTS: Rebecca Crowell, PhD

WORKGROUP PUBLICATIONS/RESOURCES: For more information contact:
Rebecca Crowell, PhD Postdoctoral Fellow
Ethel Donaghue TRIPP Center University of Connecticut Health Center
263 Farmington Ave.
Farmington, CT 06030
Phone: 860/679-2897
E-mail: crowell@uchc.edu

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DELAWARE

NAME: The Delaware Primary Care Initiative on Childhood Overweight

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Now in its second year, this quality improvement initiative works with over 15 primary care practices statewide to teach best practices around the prevention, identification and management of childhood overweight based on the recommendations of the Expert Committee on the Assessment, Prevention and Treatment of Child and Adult Adolescent Overweight and Obesity. Key aims include measuring and classifying BMI and providing healthy lifestyle counseling. Progress to date includes: BMI classification at well child visits = 99.7% and healthy lifestyle counseling = 93%.

TARGET AUDIENCE: Delaware primary care providers including pediatricians and family physicians, school-based wellness centers and federally qualified health centers

KEYWORDS: prevent, identify and manage childhood overweight; quality improvement; healthy eating; physical activity; best practices

YEARS OPERATIONAL: 1.5

KIND OF PROJECT: Chapter

PARTNERS: De-AAP,Nemours Health & Prevention Services, Delaware Health & Social Services, National Initiative on Children's Healthcare

PROJECT WEB SITE: www.growuphealthy.org

PROJECT PUBLICATIONS/RESOURCES: www.growuphealthy.org - The Primary Care tab has many resources that providers can use in the office. They can be downloaded at no charge. The website also has informational sheets on 5-2-1-Almost None for parents and children.

CONTACT PERSON: Katie Hamilton, De-AAP Executive Director

CONTACT INFORMATION: 100 W. 10th Street, Wilmington, DE 19801, Phone: 302/778-3908

OTHER: Participating teams have overwhelming exceeded goals on the initiative's two priority aims (indicators):
* measuring and classifying BMI at all well child visits
* imparting messages on healthy lifestyles at all well child visit

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DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

NAME: CHARM School

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: CHARM School (Choosing Healthy and Rewarding Meals) is a 20 week program conducted at Eastern Senior High School through the school based health center. It combines the expertise of a pediatrician, nutritionist, image consultant and fitness instructor to deliver a program focusing on healthy eating habits, life skills, and fitness. This program received initial funding from a CATCH grant and then received funding from the Mayor's Council on Food and Nutrition and the General Mills Foundation.

TARGET AUDIENCE: Open to students at Eastern Senior High School

KEYWORDS: Obesity School based health center Fitness Nutrition Life Skills

YEARS OPERATIONAL: 2

KIND OF PROJECT: Individual Member

PARTNERS: Unity Health Care, Inc. YMCA of Washington, DC DC Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics

CONTACT PERSON: Danielle Dooley

CONTACT INFORMATION: Phone: 202/518-2384, E-mail: ddooley@unityhealthcare.org

OTHER: A poster presentation was done at the NICHQ conference in March 2008. Overall, 81 students attended at least one session of CHARM School and 31 students attended 5 or more sessions. 100% of attendees said they shared what they learned in CHARM School with their families and would attend more sessions. Trends were seen in terms of increased knowledge of nutrition recommendations and changes in eating behaviors as a result of participation in CHARM School.

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NAME: Start Early, Start Right (SESR)

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Start Early, Start Right Program (S.E.S.R program) an intervention to prevent and treat obesity among Latino preschoolers ages 1 to 6 years. It is designed for the prevention and treatment of overweight Latino preschoolers, with the parents as the primary target of the intervention. The objectives of the program are to promote: healthy diet and eating habits in preschool children; increasing physical activity and decreasing sedentary behavior; and improving parenting skills of parents of preschool children. Changes in BMI (child and parent), nutrition and physical activity knowledge and behavior, and reduction in sedentary conduct from baseline to post-intervention are measured to assess effectiveness of the intervention.

TARGET AUDIENCE: Parents of Latino preschoolers.

KEYWORDS: Latino preschoolers, community-based obesity prevention and treatment program.

YEARS OPERATIONAL: 2005 - present

KIND OF PROJECT: Individual Member

PARTNERS: The Family Place, a community drop-in center, and Centro Nia, a day care facility

CONTACT PERSON: Nazrat Mirza

CONTACT INFORMATION:
Children's National Medical Center
111 Michigan Ave NW
Washinton, DC 20010
Phone: 202/476-3948

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NAME: I.D.E.A.L. Clinic

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Improved Diet, Exercise, and Activity for Life (I.D.E.A.L) Clinic is a Multidisciplinary Obesity Clinic at Children's Hospital. The clinic comprehensively assesses overweight children and adolescents, identifies risk factors, and obesity-related co-morbidities, and develops management plans for the patients and families. Patients have access to psychologists, dieticians, and exercise therapist as well as nurses, physicians, and specialists in gastroenterology, endocrinology, and cardiology. Dietary and physical activity counseling and instructions and appropriate and targeted behavioral change counseling are provided to the child and family.

TARGET AUDIENCE: The primary target population for the I.D.E.A.L clinic are overweight minority and underserved children and adolescents served by the Primary Care Community Clinics in the District.

KEYWORDS: Multidisciplinary weight management clinic for children and adolescents

YEARS OPERATIONAL: 2006 - present

KIND OF PROJECT: Individual Member

CONTACT PERSON: Nazrat Mirza

CONTACT INFORMATION:
Children's National Medical Center
111 Michigan Ave NW
Washington, DC 20010
Phone: 202/476-3948

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HAWAII

NAME: Hawaii Pediatric Weight Management Toolkit

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Toolkit written for the primary care practitioner, will enable practitioner to implement the December 2007 AAP recommendations for childhood / adolescent overweight & obese in the office setting.

TARGET AUDIENCE: Pediatricians, Family Practitioners, Nurse Practitioners, Dietitians, WIC, Public Health Nurses

KEYWORDS: Hawaii, Toolkit, Childhood Overweight, Weight Management

YEARS OPERATIONAL: 2007

KIND OF PROJECT: Chapter

PARTNERS: Pediatric Foundation of Hawaii HMSA Foundation Mead Johnson Nutritionals Nicole Kerr, MPH, RD

PROJECT WEB SITE: Pfoh.org

PROJECT PUBLICATIONS/RESOURCES:  Toolkit

CONTACT PERSON: Galen Chock, MD

CONTACT INFORMATION: E-mail: gchock@aap.net

OTHER: The HAAPening Plate community collaboration unveiled 10/6/08: http://kgmb9.com/main/content/view/10280/40/
Statewide training in Toolkit to be finished by November 2008

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ILLINOIS

NAME: Healthy Grandfamilies

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The Illinois Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (ICAAP) partnered with the AAP, Strang Institute, Chicago Public Schools and other state project leaders to provide nutrition education to grandparents serving as primary caregivers of their grandchildren. Six nutritional education sessions were led by pediatricians. Topics focused on: Healthy Kitchens, Healthy Messages, Healthy Portions, Fitness, Eating In and Eating Out. In addition to nutrition education an advanced nurse practioner attended two sessions focusing on blood pressure/overall elder healthcare and healthy lungs. ICAAP has also developed plans to further this initiative by working with Chicago-area pediatric and family practice residency training programs to provide educational sessions to them. These sessions will focus on the overall goal and objectives of the Healthy Grandfamilies project and will including information on the challenges and opportunities presented when working with grandparents who are the primary caregivers for their grandchildren. The sessions also will focus on providing residents with information related to strategies to educate caregivers (especially elderly caregivers) about nutrition.

TARGET AUDIENCE: Grandparents. Older adults.

KEYWORDS: Healthy Grandfamilies, Nutrition Education, Grandparents, Grandchildren

YEARS OPERATIONAL: 2008

KIND OF PROJECT: Chapter

PARTNERS: AAP, Strang Institute, Chicago Public Schools

CONTACT PERSON: Salaeha Shariff, MS

CONTACT INFORMATION: Phone: 312/733-1026 ext. 207, E-mail: sshariff@illinoisaap.com

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KANSAS

TITLE OF WORKGROUP/TASK FORCE: KS Coordinated School Health Advisory Council

KIND OF WORKGROUP: State

SCOPE OF WORK: Council gives direction to activities of KS Coordinated School Health Program.

PARTNERS: KS Department of Education KS Department of Health and Environment Goddard Public Schools KS Action for Healthy Kids American Heart Association-Heartland Chapter Midwest Dairy Association Sunflower Foundation KS Health Foundation United Methodist Health Ministries Foundation Wichita Medical Research Foundation Jefferson West Public Schools KS Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics Children's Mercy Hospitals and Clinics KS Association of School Boards American Cancer Society KS Action for Healthy Kids KS PTA Blue Cross Blue Shield of KS Fredonia Middle School Seaman School District Fort Scott School District KAHPERD KS Action for Children KS legislature

ACHIEVEMENTS: Successful administration of the Coordinated School Health model and technical assistance to 224 schools across the state in 2007.

CHAPTER WORKGROUP REPRESENTATIVES/CONTACTS: Sarah Hampl, MD, FAAP (shampl@cmh.edu)

WORKGROUP WEB SITE: www.kshealthykids.org

WORKGROUP PUBLICATIONS/RESOURCES: E-lines monthly newsletter multiple fact sheets listed under "other resources" under resources tab on Web site

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KENTUCKY

NAME: Walking Works

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Walking Works is a program implemented via a $95,000 grant from Anthem to the KY Chapter of the AAP. The funds are used to fund the resources to allign YMCA's with obese children in the 3 most populated counties in KY. The children are partnered with medical students, pediatric residents, and other physicians to encourage physical activity, healthy eating habits. They are given vouchers for the YMCA and vouchers for education with a nutritionist. We currently have 295 children enrolled and have received excellent feedback from the children, families, and medical personnel serving as coaches. Our goal is to follow the children and to assess the impact on their BMIs and lifestyle changes regarding eating habits and exercise activities.

TARGET AUDIENCE: Ages 9-14 with BMI greater than 85% who are referred by a pediatrician member of our state chapter. They also must be from the Louisville, Lexington, or Northern KY regions.

KEYWORDS: Obesity, YMCA, Exercise, Nutrition

YEARS OPERATIONAL: 2009

KIND OF PROJECT: Chapter

PARTNERS: YMCA, University of Louiville and University of Kentucky Medical Students and Pediatric Residents, and Anthem

CONTACT PERSON: Mary York - Executive Director, KY Chapter

CONTACT INFORMATION: Phone: 502/875-2202, Web site: www.kyaap.org

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NAME: Asthma and Obesity QI Initiative

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The KY Chapter initiated a survey to assess pediatricians current understanding, treatment, and concerns of these chronic illnesses. The data has been gathered and is currently being evaluated to determine trends and to better understand the pediatricians role and skill sets to address these chronic illnesses.

TARGET AUDIENCE: Pediatricians in KY Chapter

KEYWORDS: Obesity

YEARS OPERATIONAL: 2007-2008

KIND OF PROJECT: Individual Member

PARTNERS: KY Chapter of the AAP and members

CONTACT PERSON: Julia Richerson, MD, FAAP

CONTACT INFORMATION: Phone: 502/875-2205, Web site: www.kyaap.org

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TITLE OF WORKGROUP/TASK FORCE: S.C.O.R.E. Team

KIND OF WORKGROUP: State

SCOPE OF WORK: The group has been organized to address the issue of obesity in the state and to establish a plan of action to combat this issue. The group was established this summer by Dr. Bill Hacker, Director of Public Health, and it includes legislators, physcians, and community leaders. The group includes myself,President of the KY Chapter of the AAP and 7 other indiviuals. The group will have its first meeting this fall therefore is in its infancy but we are excited to work with the leaders in Public Health and Legislators to collaborate.

PARTNERS: KY Chapter of the AAP, Legislators, and Department of Public Health

ACHIEVEMENTS: Group was just formed

CHAPTER WORKGROUP REPRESENTATIVES/CONTACTS: Joshua T. Honaker, MD, FAAP (President of the KY Chapter), E-mail: jthonaker@bellsouth.net

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TITLE OF WORKGROUP/TASK FORCE: Supporters of the Healthy Kids Act

KIND OF WORKGROUP: State

SCOPE OF WORK: We are working in concert with Addia Wuchner, state representative and sponsor the bill entitled "Healthy Kids Act" which is legislation to mandate 30 minutes of physical activity each day in the elementary school setting. It did not pass last year but with the help of our legislative agent we have developed an action plan to assist in the passage of this legislation in the next session. The leaders in education are not supportive because of time to be taken away from the classroom setting.

PARTNERS: State Legislators P.U.S.H. - This is a resident run child advocacy group at the University of Louisville/Kosair Children's Hospital, including pediatric residents. They are focused on obesity, child abuse, and injury prevention.

ACHIEVEMENTS: We learned a lot about the political process last year as the bill did not pass and have worked to increase awareness and to engage more pediatricians to be vocal about the benefits of physical activity in the schools and the negative impact of obesity on our children and sociey.

CHAPTER WORKGROUP REPRESENTATIVES/CONTACTS: Dr.Honaker (Chapt Pres), Dr. Snyder (PUSH Pres), Dr. Sturgeon, E-mail: jthonaker@bellsouth.net

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LOUISIANA

NAME: Louisiana Council on Obesity Prevention and Managment

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The Louisiana Obesity Council was created in legislation in 1999. The La. Chapter of the AAP is a member of the council and our current State Chapter President, Dr. Stewart Gordon, serves as Chair of the Council.

TARGET AUDIENCE: Louisiana citizens

YEARS OPERATIONAL: 9

KIND OF PROJECT: Chapter

NAME OF CHAPTER: Louisiana

PROJECT WEB SITE: http://www.dhh.louisiana.gov/offices/?ID=270

CONTACT PERSON: Pamela Romero, RD, LDN, CDE Nutritionist/Coordinator

CONTACT INFORMATION:
Pamela Romero, RD, LDN, CDE Nutritionist/Coordinator
LA Obesity Council Louisiana Office of Public Health
628 North 4th St., 3rd Floor, Bin #4
Baton Rouge, LA 70802
Phone: 225/342-7901
Fax: 225/342-8312

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TITLE OF WORKGROUP/TASK FORCE: Louisiana Physical Activity Report Card

KIND OF WORKGROUP: State

SCOPE OF WORK: Annual report card on physical activity & health for Louisiana children & youth.

PARTNERS: Pennington Biomedical Research Center LSUHSC School of Public Health Louisiana Public Health Institute Louisiana Obesity Council Center for Planning Excellence La. Health, Physical Actity, Recreation & Dance

ACHIEVEMENTS: Published the first state specific Physical Activity report card in the United States

CHAPTER WORKGROUP REPRESENTATIVES/CONTACTS: Susan Sisson, PhD, 225-763-2935

WORKGROUP WEB SITE: www.louisianareportcard.org

WORKGROUP PUBLICATIONS/RESOURCES: See web site

SUBMITTED BY: Stewart T. Gordon, MD

E-MAIL ADDRESS: sgordo1@lsuhsc.edu

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MAINE

NAME: Maine Youth Overweight Collaborative

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Statewide effort involving 35 practices, 177 providers, 177,000 patients to address primary prevention and treatment of childhood obesity in the office. Present efforts are also targeted at making links between the pediatrician's offices and community organizations. Some communities have started regional childhood obesity collaboratives. Some practices have started specific programs such as group weight loss programs in the office. The provider decision support chart was published by the AAP in 3/08 and is being sold internationally. This has been a collaborative effor of the Maine AAP and the Maine Center for Public Health.

TARGET AUDIENCE: Patients, Providers, Communities

KEYWORDS: Teaching Collaborative, obesity, overweight, group weight loss programs

YEARS OPERATIONAL: 4 years

KIND OF PROJECT: Chapter

PARTNERS: Maine Center for Public Health

PROJECT WEB SITE: www.mcph.org, www.letsgo.org

PROJECT PUBLICATIONS/RESOURCES: Pediatric Obesity Clinical Decision Support Chart, AAP bookstore

CONTACT PERSON: Jonathan Fanburg, MD, MPH

CONTACT INFORMATION: PO Box 1420, Ellsworth, ME 04605

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MARYLAND

NAME: Obesity Prevention Taskforce/Healthy Schools Coalition

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Healthy Schools Coalition: A community and state Dept of Education staff council that designs legislative agenda of mutual programs to improve child wellness in the schools

TARGET AUDIENCE: County Boards of Education, State Education professionals, and legislature

YEARS OPERATIONAL: 4 years, 3 years of legislative agendas

KIND OF PROJECT: Chapter

PARTNERS: American Heart, American Diabetes, PTAs, 6 members for the State Dept of Education Nutrition and Physical education staff.

CONTACT PERSON: Kate Franklin

CONTACT INFORMATION: Maryland Chapter of AAP (http://www.mdaap.org/)

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NEBRASKA

NAME: Teach a Kid to Fish

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Teach a Kid to Fish is a nonprofit organization founded by Karla Lester, M.D., FAAP, with a mission, in partnership with community members to prevent and reduce childhood obesity by empowering Lincoln children and families to eat healthy and be active.

TARGET AUDIENCE: children ages birth to 18 years, and working with vulnerable populations where the need is and impact will be the greatest.

KEYWORDS: childhood obesity public health

YEARS OPERATIONAL: 1.5 years

KIND OF PROJECT: Individual Member

PARTNERS: Lincoln Public Schools, Lancaster County Medical Society, Health Department, NE DHHS, NE AAP, Nebraska Medical Association

PROJECT WEB SITE: www.teachakidtofish.org

CONTACT PERSON: Karla Lester

CONTACT INFORMATION: 5625 O Street, Suite 3 Lincoln, NE 68510 Phone: 402-525-6834

E-MAIL ADDRESS: teachakid2fish@gmail.com

OTHER: Working with the public schools to facilitate Alliance for a Healthier Generation in over half of our schools. Our public schools received a PEP grant with Teach a Kid to Fish serving as the community based organization. We have data showing marked disparity with obesity rates correlating to ethnicity and poverty. Teach a Kid to Fish is developing provider toolkit, algorithm, Webinar and is developing through the NMA, the Physicians for a Healthy Nebraska Childhood obesity prevention project which will house a policy clearinghouse. We are working on a long term strategic plan for our community, planning a summit in November 2009 to bring together organizations and community members to develop a Call for Action on this important issue.

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NEW HAMPSHIRE

NAME: Granite State FitKids

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION -Promoting the 5 E's- Excitement, Enthusiasm, Energy, Exercise, and Education At home, school, and in the community Granite State FitKids is an interactive health awareness program specifically designed for the 4th grade level. The core of the program is a set of seven lessons, called "The Body Workshops", discussing the various body systems - cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, muscular, skeletal, and nervous. In addition, three of the lessons focus on the effects of tobacco and the benefits of good nutrition and regular physical activity. These lessons are approximately 45-60 minutes each and complement the existing health education curriculum. Charles T. Cappetta, MD -pediatrician Dartmouth Hitchcock Nashua, NH, Immediate Past President NH Pediatric Society and AAP COSMF Executive Committee Member- instructs the seven lessons, with the assistance of Mr. Bones, and various health care/educational professionals. The curriculum uses a variety of educational strategies, including lecture, group discussions, and interactive student activities such as games and projects. Extension of the learning environment is reinforced by fun, easy to do homework assignments and weekly communication to parents and family members. Adjunct school staff members such as the physical education, art, computer, and music teachers are also involved in providing corresponding supportive information and activities in their own classrooms during the 7 weeks of the program. Having taught > 14,000 students since its inception in 1997, the expansion of the Granite State FitKids program has grown from 3 schools and teaching over 200 children in Nashua,NH to now 36+ schools and 18 communities in NH and MA and teaching over 2700 4th graders in 2007-2008. It was established as a 501c3-child health promotion organization in July 2000 and is registered as a Charitable Trust in NH with a 5 member Board of Governors made up of local hospital/school/parent and health care leaders.

PARTNERS: School communities-teachers, administration, specialists (PE, Art, Music, Guidance, Computer/Media/Libary) and PTO's. Dartmouth Hitchcock Health Care System/Southern NH Medical Center-Nashua NH/St. Joseph Hospital-Nashua, NH/Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield-NH/MVP Health Care/American Heart Association/American Cancer Society/New England Dairy Council/Charles H. Nutt Surgical Hospital Board of Trustees/Vibrac Torque Test Systems/NH Celebrates Wellness/Southern NH Area Health Education Center/Tufts Health Plan/UMass Lowell Centers for Health and Disease Research

ACHIEVEMENTS: In May 2005, Granite State FitKids was nationally recognized and honored as a "Silver Award" winner in The Cooper Institute (Dallas, Texas) Children's Healthy Bodies Initiative which identified programs (150 programs were reviewed) with the greatest potential to help reduce the epidemic of childhood obesity. In April 2006, Granite State FitKids had the distinct honor of being selected as only 1 of 7 programs from the United States included in the CDC/WHO publication, "Best Practices for Physical Activity Promotion around the World" which highlights various efforts from over 20 countries to deal with the epidemic of overweight and obesity and physical inactivity. In April 2007, Granite State FitKids was listed as a "Classroom curriculum energizer" in the NH Foundation for Healthy Communities release; Recommendations from the New Hampshire Childhood Obesity Expert Panel-Preventing Childhood Obesity: Promoting physical activity and healthy eating.

PROGRAM CONTACTS: Charles T. Cappetta, MD

CONTACT INFORMATION: E-mail: Charles.T.Cappetta@Hitchcock.org

PROJECT WEB SITE: www.granitestatefitkids.org

PROJECT PUBLICATIONS/RESOURCES: Work in Progress through UMass Lowell Centers for Health and Disease Research

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NEW YORK

New York Projects:

NAME: Healthy GrandFamilies

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: "Healthy GrandFamilies" is an obesity prevention initiative. The goal of this program is to teach grandparents caring for their grandchildren the importance of healthy nutrition and physical activity. It is specifically designed to assist grandfamilies in underserved communities. NY Chapter 3 member, Dr. Phupakdi, was the lead pediatrician. She received training from a nutritionist and then trained eight Chapter 3 members. The community partner was Harlem Hospital Center who recruited grandparents from their asthma program to participate in the initiative. There were six training sessions conducted by NY Chapter 3 members. Each session had 3-4 pediatrician trainers and approximately 17 grandparents.

TARGET AUDIENCE: Grandparents caring for their grandchildren

KEYWORDS: Obesity, nutrition, physical activity, grandparents, grandchildren

YEARS OPERATIONAL: 2008

KIND OF PROJECT: Chapter

NAME OF CHAPTER: NY Chapter 3

PARTNERS: Strang Cancer Prevention Center, Harlem Hospital Center, National AAP

PROJECT WEB SITE:

PROJECT PUBLICATIONS/RESOURCES: There were two workshop manuals - one for the grandparents and one for the pediatricians.

CONTACT PERSON: Jessica Geslani

CONTACT INFORMATION: Phone: 516/326-0310, E-mail: jgeslani@aap.org

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NAME: Obesity Toolkit

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The NY Chapter 2 Committee on Nutrition, chaired by Dr. Michael Pettei, developed and distributed a tool kit for obesity prevention to all chapter members. This tool kit consists of a survey to be filled out by a parent. The survey identifies issues that would lead to or exacerbate obesity. If a specific problem is identified in the survey a relevant handout addressing that problem is supplied to the family. The problems identified and addressed include physical activity, screen time, consumption of excessive sweetened drinks, eating out, family meals and snacks. A BMI wheel was provided with the tool kit to emphasize the importance of documenting that measurement.

TARGET AUDIENCE: parents

KEYWORDS: obesity toolkit, physical activity, nutrition

YEARS OPERATIONAL: 2007-2008

KIND OF PROJECT: Chapter

 NAME OF CHAPTER: NY Chapter 2

PROJECT PUBLICATIONS/RESOURCES: Obesity Toolkit and BMI Wheel

CONTACT PERSON: Jessica Geslani

CONTACT INFORMATION: Phone: 516/326-0310, E-mail: jgeslani@aap.org

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TEXAS

NAME: Toolkit for Healthcare providers

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: In 2004, with the recognition of the lack of training and deficency in pediatric provider education about the diagnosis, treatment, and management of pediatric obesity, a clinical toolkit was created for practitioners. Approximately 15,0000 hard copies were distributed in assoication with the Area Health Education Centers, the Department of State Health Services, Texas School Nurses Organizaiton,and the Texas Education Agency. In 2008 the toolkit was updated, and a web-based version will be made available.

TARGET AUDIENCE: All pediatric healthcare practitioners

KEYWORDS: Obesity Toolkit

YEARS OPERATIONAL: 4

KIND OF PROJECT: Chapter

NAME OF CHAPTER: Texas Pediatric Society

PARTNERS: Texas Department of State Health Services Texas School Nurses Organization Texas Education Agency Area Health Education Center DairyMax The Andera-Mennen Family Foundation

PROJECT WEB SITE: www.txpeds.org

PROJECT PUBLICATIONS/RESOURCES: www.txpeds.org

CONTACT PERSON: Mary Greene-Noble

CONTACT INFORMATION: 401 W 15th St # 682, Austin, TX 78701, Phone: 512/370-1506

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NAME: Fit Family

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: multidisciplinary , intense weight management program

TARGET AUDIENCE: 5-18 years olds with obese problems

KEYWORDS: obesity weight management lifestyle changes

KIND OF PROJECT: Individual Member

PARTNERS: Fort Worth YMCA

CONTACT PERSON: John A. Menchaca, MD

CONTACT INFORMATION: Office Phone: 817/336-7275

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NAME: Catch 5 for a healthy weight

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The project is an initiative of the WIC Program of the City of Houston Health & Human Services to help decrease obesity among children 2-5 years old. In a collaborative effort with the local pediatric clinics, overweight and obese children are going to be identified through the WIC visits and the pediatricians' office visits. The WIC is going to offer conferences targeting five behaviors that can improve the health of the children: eating healthy snacks, drinking water instead of other beverages, choosing low fat or skim milk, eating at least 2 cups of vegetables daily and moving more, sitting less. The WIC office will provide these families with vouchers to spend in "healthier" food. The pediatricians will talk to the families about the same 5 behaviors and compromise the family to apply at least one of the behaviors. Children are going to be followed by the pediatrician every 4-6 weeks and asses their progress in terms of lifestyle, eating habits, weight and BMI. The families will receive the message of "healthy weight" through two sources, increasing the probability of improving the health of overweight and obese children. The success of the program will be measured by attendance rate to the WIC conferences, pre and post-tests, participant program evaluations and follow up telephone survey.

TARGET AUDIENCE: Parents of overweight and obese children 2-5 years old

KEYWORDS: WIC, Childhood Obesity, Obesity Prevention, Community

YEARS OPERATIONAL: Projected starting date January 2009

KIND OF PROJECT: Individual Member
    
PARTNERS: WIC Office of the City of Houston Health & Human Services

CONTACT PERSON: Rosana P. Aruda, MS, RD, LD

CONTACT INFORMATION:
8000 N. Stadium Dr., 3rd floor (WIC)
Houston, TX 77054
Phone: 713/794-9929 or 9090
Fax: 713/794-2903
E-mail: rosana.arruda@cityofhouston.net

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NAME: Healthy Living Happy Living

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Multidisciplinary after school obesity intervention for overweight/obese elementary school children and a guardian.

TARGET AUDIENCE: East Austin elementary school students and their guardian

KEYWORDS: obesity, overweight, after school, underserved

YEARS OPERATIONAL: 2008-2009

KIND OF PROJECT: Individual Member

PARTNERS: Renfert Fund of the Austin Community Foundation, Children's Medical Foundation of Central Texas, Dell Children's Medical Center of Central Texas, UTMB - Austin Programs, UT - Austin Department of Kinesiology and Health Education, Texas Child Study Center

CONTACT PERSON: Stephen Pont, MD, MPH

CONTACT INFORMATION:
Stephen Pont, MD, MPH
UTMB Austin - Department of Pediatrics
UT-Austin Department of Kinesiology and Health Education
Dell Children's Medical Center of Central Texas
4900 Mueller Blvd.
Austin, TX 78723
Phone: 512/324-0165
E-mail: sjpont@seton.org

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NAME: Health Grandfamilies

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: In partnership with Strang Cancer Foundation and Metlife, created a coalition of community partners (pediatricians, Houston after-school program leaders, and the YMCA) and delivered a pilot program of 6 workshops about nutrition and healthy lifestyles.

TARGET AUDIENCE: Grandparents / older caregivers

KEYWORDS: Granfamilies, nutrition, obesity

YEARS OPERATIONAL: 1

KIND OF PROJECT: Chapter

NAME OF CHAPTER: Texas Pediatric Society

PARTNERS: Local: C.A.S.E, MD Anderson YMCA, Fiesta National: Strang Cancer Foundation Funder: MetLife

PROJECT WEB SITE: http://www.healthychildrenhealthyfutures.org/aboutus.htm

PROJECT PUBLICATIONS/RESOURCES: http://www.healthychildrenhealthyfutures.org/ContactUs.htm

CONTACT PERSON: Carl Tapia  (Texas Pediatric Society) and BJ Carter (Healthy Children Healthy Futures)

CONTACT INFORMATION: cdtapia@texaschildrenshospital.org  or
Healthy Children Healthy Futures Strang Cancer Prevention Center
428 East 72nd Street, Suite 600
New York, NY 10021
Phone: 212/794-4900 ext. 194
Fax: 212/794-4958
Email: healthychildren@strang.org

OTHER: Overall, the program was widely accepted by grandfamilies and pediatricians. A small but statistical difference was found for increase in reported activity.

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TITLE OF WORKGROUP/TASK FORCE: Live Smart Texas

KIND OF WORKGROUP: State

SCOPE OF WORK:
Recognizing that:

• - a collaborative effort can lead to better outcomes than organizations can produce individually, the Live Smart Texas collaborative seeks to reverse the obesity epidemic through leadership and recommendations for resource development as well as policy and environmental change by involving a broad-based group of stakeholders.
• - the recent rise in obesity rates is due largely to complex changes occurring in our social and physical environments, and that the barriers to healthful eating and adequate physical activity vary tremendously from inner cities to the most rural areas of Texas, the Live Smart Texas collaborative supports solutions that are developed and implemented by stakeholders at the community level and that target populations disproportionately affected by obesity.

The Live Smart Texas collaborative, comprised of stakeholders that share this mission, agree to work toward:

• A collaborative research agenda related to obesity-prevention efforts and development of resources to fund it
• A shared policy agenda for obesity prevention throughout the lifecycle
• Resources to build infrastructure and capacity within all communities, with emphasis on high-risk communities, to ensure the implementation of evidence-based practices that embody cultural competence The Live Smart Texas steering committee will facilitate this work by:
  • Collaborating on research and funding opportunities
  • Developing a research agenda for the state on issues and programs relating to obesity
  • Identifying other funding opportunities, communicating them to stakeholders, and facilitating partnership opportunities among communities and researchers
  • Collaborating with the Partnership for a Healthy Texas and others to develop a shared policy agenda
  • Providing a communications network for obesity-prevention stakeholders in Texas
  • Communicating with policymakers about potential solutions to the obesity epidemic
  • Assessing the capacity and infrastructure of communities to address the obesity epidemic

PARTNERS: http://www.livesmarttexas.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=dvxnk%2beNoPA%3d&tabid=60&mid=388

ACHIEVEMENTS: 1) $2 Million RWJ Grant Awarded: The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) has awarded a $2 million grant to a Texas coalition of more than 80 organizations to evaluate the effectiveness of state policies in preventing childhood obesity, the Austin Business Journal reports. The coalition, called Live Smart Texas, brings together state agencies, policy institutes, academic institutions, community organizations and advocacy groups. Participants will use the RWJF funding to evaluate the Texas Safe Routes to School program, which encourages children to walk or bike to school, and Texas's implementation of the new Healthy WIC package, funded by the federal Women, Infants and Children (WIC) nutrition program. Coalition leaders hope the results will guide local, state and national policymakers as they work to increase physical activity among children and provide more opportunity for children to eat healthy foods. The program will be led jointly by professors at the Texas A&M Health Science Center School of Rural Public Health and the Michael & Susan Dell Center for Advancement of Healthy Living at The University of Texas School of Public Health. One researcher called the grant "critically important to address policy issues that can have a positive effect on improving healthy eating and increasing safe and accessible places for physical activity in order to reduce the alarming trends toward childhood obesity" in Texas. According to a release, RWJF also awarded New York and Mississippi funding under the current round of grants (Austin Business Journal, 9/23/08; of Texas release, 9/8/08.).

CHAPTER WORKGROUP REPRESENTATIVES/CONTACTS: Kimberly Avila Edwards, MD, FAAP

WORKGROUP WEB SITE: http://www.livesmarttexas.org/

SUBMITTED BY: Kimberly Avila Edwards, MD

E-MAIL ADDRESS: kcaedwards@yahoo.com

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TITLE OF WORKGROUP/TASK FORCE: Healthy Students = Healthy Families

KIND OF WORKGROUP: State

SCOPE OF WORK: In 2007, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples established the Healthy Students = Healthy Families committee to advise on all aspects of the nutrition policy for Texas and public schools and on program administration issues.

PARTNERS: The committee is comprised of 12 members, including nutritionists, healthcare professionals, foodservice professionals, and educators.

ACHIEVEMENTS: 1) The committee has made recommendations on 5 out of 10 charges originally given to the committee. The full list of which can be seen at the workgroup's web site 2) Committee members have assisted with recommendations on the state's breakfast and trans fat studies.

CHAPTER WORKGROUP REPRESENTATIVES/CONTACTS: Kimberly Avila Edwards MD, FAAP

WORKGROUP WEB SITE: http://www.squaremeals.org/fn/render/parent/channel/0,1253,2348_18361_0_0,00.html

SUBMITTED BY: Kimberly Avila Edwards, MD, FAAP

E-MAIL ADDRESS: kcaedwards@yahoo.com

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NAME: Kamp K'aana

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: 2 week residential camp for healthy lifestyle, weight control, and self-esteem. Balanced mealplan using Traffic Light Diet concepts, 1800 calorie per day, daily 1-hour sessions on good nutrition and behavior change, and 4-5 hours of camp activities, including swimming, horse-back riding, and high ropes. Supported by

TARGET AUDIENCE: 10 to 14 year olds.

KEYWORDS: Residential camp, obesity, weight control

KIND OF PROJECT: Individual
   
PARTNERS: Camp Cho-Yeh; Children's Nutrition Research Center at Baylor College of Medicine; Texas Children's Hospital;

CONTACT PERSON: Lisa Kuchik

CONTACT INFORMATION: E-mail: lakuchik@texaschildrenshospital.org

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NAME: Healthy Kids-Houston

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: After-school program in the Houston Parks and Recreation centers to improve physical activity level and fitness.

TARGET AUDIENCE: 6 to 12 year old, in lower income neighborhoods.

YEARS OPERATIONAL: 2007-2008

KIND OF PROJECT: Individual Member

PARTNERS: Children's Nutrition Research Center at Baylor College of Medicine; Houston Parks and Recreation Program; Texas Children's Hospital

CONTACT PERSON: William Wong, PhD

CONTACT INFORMATION: E-mail: wwong@bcm.tmc.edu

OTHER: In overweight and obese children, the BMI improved. Publication: Bush CL et al. J Peds 2007; 151:513

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NAME: Ready.Set. StartSmart!

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Childhood obesity prevention program starting in the newborn period. There is an intervention (4X6 card with two messages - one for child and one for parent, promotional item, anticipatory guidance)at each well child visit until 5 years.

TARGET AUDIENCE: Children and their families, primary care physicicans

KEYWORDS: childhood obesity prevention, newborn, well child checkup, intervention, nutrition, activity

YEARS OPERATIONAL: 2 years

KIND OF PROJECT: Individual Member

PARTNERS: William Sorensen, PhD, statistician, University of Texas at Tyler

PROJECT PUBLICATIONS/RESOURCES: materials printed in English with Spanish translation completed.

CONTACT PERSON: Barbara W. Huggins, MD

CONTACT INFORMATION: E-mail: barbara.huggins@uthct.edu, Phone: 903/877-7219

OTHER: Pilot study completed summer 2008. Data pending. Preliminary stats show definite improvement in education with some behavior changes noted.

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