Funded Projects

F.I.T. N.Y.C. (Families Improving Together)

Project Year

2025

City & State

Jamaica, New York

Program Name

CATCH Planning

Topic

Overweight & Obesity (LHI)

Program Description

Childhood obesity is a significant public health issue in the US, and is particularly acute in Jamaica, Queens, an ethnically and linguistically diverse community that has been historically underserved. One in four children ages 5-13 in Jamaica are classified as obese, exceeding the citywide average of 20%. Contributing factors include high consumption of sugary drinks (30% of Jamaica residents report drinking these), limited access to affordable healthy foods, and a lack of safe community spaces for physical activity (PA). These conditions not only impact childhood health outcomes, but contribute to higher community prevalence rates of chronic illnesses such as diabetes (16%) and hypertension (37%) in adulthood.  The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends family healthy weight programs (FHWPs) as multi-component behavioral interventions to treat childhood obesity. Studies show that FHWPs improve nutrition, metabolic markers, PA, and self-esteem. FHWPs are encouraged to partner with community-based organizations (CBOs) to leverage space, equipment, expertise, and to promote program recruitment and retention. Despite the high prevalence of childhood obesity in Jamaica there are few FHWPs that partner with local CBOs to co-create safe, accessible spaces where children and families can engage in physical activity and learn about healthy living.  We propose to convene a diverse group of community stakeholders to plan for and co-create F.I.T. NYC, a program that will engage obese, school aged children and adolescents ages 5-18 years who are not already linked to care into a holistic healthy lifestyle program. These spaces foster a sense of safety and inclusivity, ensuring children feel comfortable and motivated to exercise and learn about healthy lifestyles. We chose school aged children as our target population given the prevalence of obesity among this age group in our community and the need to implement developmentally appropriate components into the F.I.T. NYC program. Additional program eligibility will be further defined in our collaborative planning activities.  The planning phase of our project will include:  Forming core strategic partnerships with schools, shelters, and nonprofit CBOs to map/identify their assets (i.e. space, equipment, staff, client referral base) and collaboratively identify evidence-based components of F.I.T. NYC that partners feel best reflect community and client needs and may be most impactful. Convening regular stakeholder meetings and focus groups to identify potential barriers and facilitators of  engagement in  F.I.T. NYC. These will be held to ensure that the program reflects the lived experiences of the community and addresses their unique challenges, such as food insecurity and other health-related social needs, and lack of accessible nutrition/PA education. Discussion/themes gathered from these groups will directly inform program strategies, including the development of family-centered initiatives like nutrition workshops, cooking classes, and physical activity sessions. Creating a comprehensive program framework that outlines actionable strategies for addressing obesity through nutrition, fitness, and family engagement. This framework will integrate evidence-based approaches and emphasize practical solutions, such as SNAP Healthy Bucks incentives, which partners with local farmers’ markets to improve access to fresh produce. Anticipated Outcomes. By the end of the planning phase, we anticipate achieving the following milestones: 1) forming five key community partnerships with CBO, school, homeless shelter, and community member stakeholders; 2) convening regular stakeholder meetings and holding at least 3 focus groups to better define client eligibility and barriers/facilitators of program engagement; and 3) developing a detailed, actionable program framework.  These efforts will lay the groundwork for a comprehensive obesity prevention program that aims to create an environment where children and adolescents can thrive through increased access to trusted community spaces and resources that promote healthy lifestyles.

Project Goal

To build community partnerships and increase readiness for the implementation of a comprehensive and innovative obesity intervention targeting children and adolescents 5-18 years of age with obesity in Jamaica, Queens that incorporates nutrition, fitness, and family engagement.

Project Objective 1

Establish community partnerships:  The project aims to establish partnerships with at least five local organizations, including community nonprofits, schools and nearby shelters to ensure the program’s success and sustainability. These partnerships will be formalized through signed agreements, leveraging existing relationships and community networks. By focusing on organizations already serving children and families in Jamaica, Queens, this objective prioritizes inclusivity and equity by engaging groups dedicated to addressing health disparities. These partnerships will be secured by May 2026 to provide a strong foundation for program implementation.

Project Objective 2

Engage the community:  To ensure the program aligns with community needs, at least three stakeholder meetings and focus groups will be hosted, gathering input from parents, patients, healthcare providers, and community leaders. These sessions will aim to involve a diverse array of stakeholders and document their feedback and actionable recommendations using qualitative methodology. Efforts will focus on inclusive recruitment and culturally sensitive facilitation to ensure diverse perspectives are represented, particularly from families disproportionately affected by childhood obesity. Community engagement activities will be completed by March 2026 to refine and enhance the program framework.

Project Objective 3

Develop a Comprehensive Program Framework The project will produce a detailed framework addressing nutrition, fitness, and family engagement, incorporating evidence-based practices and community feedback. This framework will outline actionable strategies and evaluation metrics, drawing inspiration from successful models like Duke University’s BullCity Fit program. It will emphasize culturally relevant practices and focus on identifying and overcoming barriers specific to families challenged by obesity and health-related social needs in Jamaica, Queens. By May 2026, the program framework will be finalized, ensuring it reflects the needs of the target community while promoting equitable access to resources and opportunities.

AAP District

District II

Institutional Name

Strong Children Wellness

Contact 1

Jannet Kim, NP

Contact 2

Suzette Brown, MD