Funded Projects

COPE: Childhood Obesity Prevention and Empowerment

Project Year

2023

City & State

Paterson, New Jersey

Program Name

CATCH Resident

Topic

Overweight & Obesity (LHI)

Program Description

BMI reduction in children with obesity can lead to clinically meaningful improvements in obesity-related comorbidities. Programs involving the whole family in lifestyle intervention were found to have positive results in BMI reduction compared to those directed at the child alone. Therefore, to better meet the needs of children in our community we are adopting a more wholesome evidence-based approach to healthy weight loss. We will aim to address three main issues related to obesity: physical activity, nutritional education, and mental health support. Our approach will be family-centered, involving families and parents in the activities and education. It will be culturally tailored, and we will work to remove barriers to promote health and wellness for all. Our goal is to develop and execute an obesity prevention program in an after-school setting to empower children and families from low socio-economic backgrounds to take an active role in their health journey. We will provide basic education on food groups, daily nutritional needs, and portion control. In addition, we plan to promote health equity by referral to community-based nutritional support programs and improve access to healthy food. By partnering with the after-school program we can provide a safe and accessible environment for physical activity. Activities will incorporate a positive body image and mindfulness approach as an additional obesity prevention method. By partnering with the Boys and Girls Club in Paterson, NJ we will develop a family-centered approach to weight reduction and a healthy lifestyle. This approach will focus on integrating the two well-known strategies of healthy nutrition and Physical activity, along with a third relatively innovative strategy of mindfulness and behavioral changes to empower those children to achieve more long-term and durable healthy lifestyle changes. The goal is to build resilience and coping techniques to deal with internal struggles that stand in the face of healthy change including negative behaviors such as preference for passive activities (e.g., watching TV, social media, and video games), lack of motivation to exercise, dislike of nutritious food, and negative feelings associated with overweight and obesity, especially for those who have been affected by bullying, low self-esteem, and poor body image. Program activities will be provided by pediatric residents and educators from St Joseph’s Hospital. A total of 12 physical exercise and nutritional classes will be delivered to at least 50 children and their families at the boys and girls club. As well as, a total of 6 mental health awareness classes for at least 30 children and their families. To evaluate our project's success, we will collect pre and post-participation surveys from the participating families. Paper forms as well as online surveys will be collected. The data can be collected and compiled to see what measures were most effective and identify areas where improvement can be made to help the children and their families achieve the goal of weight reduction and a healthy lifestyle. At the organizational level, we also plan to collect pre and post-participation surveys from the BGC staff and our participating pediatric residents and St Joseph’s volunteer educators to better evaluate project success and areas for further improvement and sustainability of the program.

Project Goal

1. To develop and execute an obesity prevention program in an after-school setting, empowering children, and families from low socio-economic backgrounds to take an active role in their health journey by promoting life-style modifications. 2. Provide basic education on food groups, daily nutritional needs, and portion control. Promoting health equity by referral to community based nutritional support programs to improve access to healthy food. 3. Provide a safe and accessible environment for physical activity, focusing on fun and easy exercises that can be implemented at home. 4. Provide awareness on the relationship between obesity and mental health. Incorporating a positive body image and mindfulness approach as an obesity prevention method.

Project Objective 1

By end of Aug, 2023, pediatric residents will complete the assembly of class schedules and content for the intended classes and would have completed the required training for participating staff at the boys and girls club.

Project Objective 2

By Feb 29, 2024, pediatric residents and educators from St Joseph’s Hospital will have delivered a total of 12 physical exercise and nutritional classes to at least 50 children and their families at the boys and girls club and a total of 6 mental health awareness classes to at least 30 children and their families at the BGC of Paterson, NJ.

Project Objective 3

By Mar 31, 2023, evaluation of pre- and post-participation parent surveys will report positive lifestyle changes in at least 50% of participating families.

AAP District

District III

Institutional Name

St Joseph's Children's Hospital

Contact 1

Eileen Matos

Contact 2

Jamileh Abu-Ali