Funded Projects

FFIT!! (Fresh, Fitness, Inspiration, Transformation)

Project Year

2023

City & State

Gainseville, Florida

Program Name

CATCH Resident

Topic

Overweight & Obesity (LHI)

Program Description

The problem: CDC data from 1971 through 2018 shows that the prevalence of overweight (from 10.2 to 16.1%), obesity (5.2 to 19.3%), and severe obesity (1 to 6.1%) among children and adolescents aged 2-19 in the U.S. has increased (Fryar et al). The AAP recently published its first comprehensive clinical practice guideline on evaluating and treating children and adolescents with overweight and obesity. Overweight is defined as a BMI at or above the 85th percentile and below the 95th percentile for children and teens of the same age and sex. Obesity is defined as a BMI at or above the 95th percentile for children and teens of the same age and sex. The reality is that children with obesity commonly become adolescents and adults with obesity, and in medical school we learn that there is the risk for short and long term adverse health outcomes, including cardiovascular disease, hypertension, dyslipidemia, Type 2 Diabetes, Non-alcholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD), and even premature death. The Clinical Practice Guideline (CPG) highlights the complex genetic, physiologic, socioeconomic, and environmental contributors to keep in mind. Social Determinants of Health (SDoH) and health disparities and inequities play a significant role. Considerations include racism, weight bias and stigma (even by health care providers), and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) (Hampl et al). “we need to take a close look at families -- where they live, their access to nutritious food, health care and opportunities for physical activity…our kids need the medical support, understanding and resources we can provide within a treatment plan that involves the whole family,” said Dr. Hampl, chair of the Clinical Practice Guideline Subcommittee on Obesity per recent AAP News Release. Primary setting: A significant portion of the patients we see in our resident clinic are living in a food desert and do not have access to fresh fruits/vegetables. A 2021 report from our city (Gainesville) based on USDA data identified 11 food deserts and the COVID-19 pandemic has caused the food insecurity rate to rise in our county (Alachua). 2019 Alachua county data shows that only 28% of Alachua county lives within ½ mile of a healthy food source. Based on County Health ratings through 2019, Alachua county performed worse than state averages on metrics including access to exercise opportunities(lack of walkable areas). Number of children affected: On average in Alachua County, 31.2%, or nearly one out of every three school kids, is either overweight or obese per The Maternal Child Health and Education Data and Research Center at the University of Florida. We see a significant number of these children in our clinic, many of whom are uninsured or on Medicaid, experience racism, live on the east side of town where there are not as many healthy food sources, and live in areas lacking walkable areas/parks. Proposed project goal, proposed intervention, and anticipated outcome: Our project aims to work with pediatric patients with weight 85th percentile or greater seen at CMS pediatric resident clinic. Our aims for this population by Spring 2024 include: 1. monthly farmers markets at our resident clinic to increase access to fresh fruits and vegetables, 2. packets of exercise equipment (including jump ropes, resistance bands), list of home exercises to patients in order to provide practical guidance, and 3) holding monthly cooking and exercise classes while optimizing social media promotion to increase education on healthy meals and exercise routines.

Project Goal

To increase access to fresh fruits, vegetables, and promote physical activity for pediatric patients seen at CMS clinic with weight ≥ 85th percentile

Project Objective 1

By July 2023, we will have educational brochures available for our patients at CMS.

Project Objective 2

By August 2023, we will have exercise equipment (including jump ropes, resistance bands) available for our patients at CMS.

Project Objective 3

By June 2024, we will have monthly farmer’s markets, cooking classes, and exercise classes at our CMS clinic

AAP District

District X

Institutional Name

UF Health Pediatrics - Gerold L. Schiebler CMS Center

Contact 1

Hannah Jacob

Contact 2

Monica Nguyen