Fit Kids/Fit Families: a report on a countywide effort to promote healthy behaviors.
BACKGROUND
Funded by the Wisconsin Partnership Fund for a Healthy Future and Aurora Health Care, Fit Kids/Fit Families (FKFF) is a multidisciplinary, family system approach to weight management that was developed and implemented by a community-academic partnership with the goal of reducing and preventing childhood overweight and obesity, increasing physical activity, and improving overall family health.


METHODS
A sample of Washington County children and their families participated in this 12-week program, which promoted healthy lifestyle changes. Data was collected pre- and post-intervention on age, height, weight, body mass index (BMI), body circumference measurements, child and family habits, and child self-esteem. A weekly nutrition, activity and behavioral log captured behaviors. Weekly 2-hour meetings in a community setting using a dietician, behaviorist, and exercise specialist addressed each of these areas.


RESULTS
FKFF has served 68 children and their families. Two-thirds are female; the mean age is 10.4 years (age range, 5-16). Both parents (96%) and children (81%) demonstrated improved knowledge and attitudes regarding healthy lifestyle changes. Logs report that 59% of the children increased their physical activity and 32% reduced their sedentary activity. While 81% improved and 13% maintained BMI, 74% of the children showed decreased total body circumferences. Nearly two-thirds demonstrated improved self-esteem on the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale.


CONCLUSIONS
Preliminary results suggest FKFF has an effect on healthier nutritional choices, increased physical activity, decreased sedentary activity, overall healthier behaviors, and body circumference and BMI reductions.
Joosse
Laura
L
Aurora Health Care, Grant Development, Milwaukee, WI, USA. Iljoosse1@hotmail.com
Stearns
Marjorie
M
Anderson
Heidi
H
Hartlaub
Paul
P
Euclide
Jeff
J
D000293:Adolescent; D001828:Body Image; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012649:Self Concept; D014922:Wisconsin / Q000453:epidemiology