title: The Downstart Program: a hospital-based pediatric healthy lifestyle program for obese and morbidly obese minority youth.
abstract: Although obesity affects all cultures, ethnic groups and social strata, this disorder affects African Americans, Hispanics and the poor at a disproportionate rate. The Downstart Pediatric Healthy Lifestyle Program was developed to provide a multi-disciplinary behavioral modification program for inner city families in Brooklyn, New York interested in leading a healthier, more active lifestyle. The Downstart Program uses a four-pronged approach of medical evaluation, exercise, nutritional education and lifestyle modification. A psychological evaluation is performed to determine the individual's ability and readiness to participate in group activities. Baseline physical fitness, flexibility and muscle strength are measured, followed by a twice-weekly karate/martial arts/dance program, incorporating principles established by the President's Council on Exercise. Nutritional and behavioral modification aspects of the program consist of weekly education about food groups, portion control, goal setting and appropriate rewards for attaining goals. Our preliminary results indicate that the Downstart Program may be a viable intervention for weight loss. Further study is needed to improve strategies for motivating patients and means and criteria for assessing long-term effects on health and lifestyle.
authors.affiliation: SUNY Downstate College of Medicine, The Children's Hospital at Downstate, Brooklyn, New York 11203, USA.
authors.forename: Alex
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sternberg
authors.forename: Hiren
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Muzumdar
authors.forename: Eugene
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Dinkevich
authors.forename: Jose Bernardo
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Quintos
authors.forename: Galia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Austin-Leon
authors.forename: Terrel
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Owens
authors.forename: Cheryl
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Murphy
authors.forename: Geraldine
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dapul
authors.forename: Madu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rao
mesh_terms: D001741:Black or African American; D000368:Aged; D015444:Exercise; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D006786:Hospitals, Urban / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D009519:New York City; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D015431:Weight Loss