title: The Use of Narrative as a Treatment Approach for Obesity: A Storied Educational Program Description.
abstract: Childhood obesity is a health care crisis according to the leading pediatric advocacy groups (National Medical Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, and American Diabetes Association) and the White House. The problem has reached epidemic proportions for all children, but it has an even greater impact on racial minorities. The subject of childhood obesity can lead to a host of medical, psychological, and social problems, including low self-esteem and discrimination.We wrote an interventional children's book and workbook (The Tale of Two Athletes: The Story of Jumper and The Thumper) and developed a three-step intervention based on the narrative. The intervention's purpose is to increase public awareness, reduce stigma, and to help members of underserved communities become more comfortable discussing obesity.
  
  
  
  In classrooms and other community settings, a storied education program is presented to students of various ages. Interactive storytelling is the first step: live narration with direct listening and active participation. Didactic information on obesity is shared, including a sociocultural explanation for why the issue is more problematic among racial minorities. The audience is then introduced to the story of Jumper and The Thumper, two larger-than-life characters who experience different outcomes as a result of their choices about diet and exercise. True examples are described during the narration about these two young men, accompanied by cartoons and photographs for visual emphasis.The next step is reading: audience members are provided with a book to reinforce what was learned. Readers are allowed to more closely examine the importance of making healthy choices.Practicing positive behaviors and decision making through games and exercises from the companion workbook is the final step. These activities help children and their families live a healthier lifestyle. The goal is that these three steps, linked to a common narrative, will have a meaningful impact on obesity by creating behavioral change.
  
  
  
  Children, parents, and health care professionals have stated their enthusiastic response to the information and message and that they have made positive changes in children's eating and exercise habits. The program has been presented in community forums, churches, medical meetings, and elementary schools in at-risk communities.
  
  
  
  New strategies must be developed to lead, uplift, and empower through health and wellness education and through community collaboration if we are to change the direction of course toward this devastating condition that affects our most valuable commodity-our children. This community-based educational approach is a means to help recognize and treat obesity in underserved communities.
authors.affiliation: Diplomate of The American Board of Obesity Medicine, a Staff Physician for Kaiser Permanente, and Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry for Morehouse School of Medicine and Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, GA. marcus.c.griffith@kp.org.
authors.forename: Marcus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Griffith
authors.affiliation: Associate Director of Psychological and Health Services for Georgia State University in Atlanta, GA. jgriffith13@gsu.edu.
authors.forename: Jeana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Griffith
authors.affiliation: Senior Pharmaceutical Specialist with Boehringer Ingelheim in Atlanta, GA. mellanese.cobb@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Mellanese
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cobb
authors.affiliation: Director of Health Promotion for Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta. vladimir.oge@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Vladimir
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Oge
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D033262:Narration; D063766:Pediatric Obesity / Q000628:therapy*