MEND Mind, Exercise, Nutrition, Do It!
WHAT IS MEND? A family-based healthy lifestyle program for families with children • aged 7-13 who have an unhealthy BMI Practical demonstrations, games and tips about healthy foods, label • reading and portion sizes are shared with the families. Parents/caregivers join their children in each session to learn about • how to choose healthier foods and spend more time being physically active. The children are provided fun physical activity sessions in a safe, • non-judgmental environment. Meets twice a week for ten weeks •
MEND in Mississippi and It’s Partnerships • COMMIT - Childhood Obesity Management with MEND Implementation Teams • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) Community Health Center Association of Mississippi (+3 other states) Delta Health Center (+3 other CHC’s • CHCAMS provided a $7,000 grant per CHC and support • Curriculum, handouts, training, MEND kits consisting of t-shirts, water bottles, backpacks, equipment for CATCH activities
The Curriculum • Developed by Healthy Weight Partnership, Inc, a leading provider of child and family weight management programs • Largest and most extensively evaluated child weight management program in the world. • 31 Sessions delivered over ten weeks • Family sessions, parent sessions, exercise sessions (CATCH) for kids
Scientific Evaluation and Research • Independent health economic and clinical studies show that MEND 7-13 is cost-effective and reduces BMI and waist circumference, thereby enabling children with overweight and obesity to reach and maintain a healthier weight. • Additional health and psychosocial benefits include increased physical activity levels and cardiovascular fitness, reduced sedentary behaviors, improved dietary intake and raised self-esteem and body image. • Several US and Canadian studies have taken place, including a CDC-funded Child Obesity Research Demonstration Study (RCT) in Texas. • Thirty-five peer-reviewed publications have documented positive outcomes following MEND programs.
Delta Health Center’s Resources Staff Time and Effort • Program Leader • Program Assistant (2) • Mind and Nutrition Leader • Exercise Leader • Pediatrician and nurse Space
Cohort 2 Data Participant 1 2 3 4 Start Weight 174 136 212 96 End Weight 186 141 213 75 BMI Start 39.9 37.1 37.0 21.3 BMI Finish 39.9 36.3 36.7 19.5 Recovery HR 1 149 136 144 120 Recovery HR 2 141 136 168 130 Sessions 8 12 13 12
Anecdotal Outcomes KIDS: “I learned that even though fruits are healthy, they still have sugar in them.” • “My favorite part were the stretches, and I learned not to be rude to other kids.” • “I liked the running!” • “My favorite part was the coordination games, like Sharks and Sardines.” PARENTS: “The biggest change that I have made at home is reading nutrition labels. MEND taught me to pay attention to what I’m buying.” • “I’m so glad we got to participate in this program - I learned the facts behind the saying “you are what you eat!”” • “I have been able to learn how to buy better groceries, which allowed me to start planning healthier meals for my family.”
Challenges • Recruitment and retention • Participants arriving late • Competing demands of staff time and effort • Transportation
Leveraging MEND • Health and Wellness Center • Pediatric Weight Management Program – Massachusetts General
Robin Boyles Chief Program Planning and Development Officer Delta Health Center 702 Martin Luther King Road Mound Bayou, MS 38762 662-741-8888 (office) rboyles@deltahealthcenter.org www.deltahealthcenter.org L to R: Kirsten Westerfield, Joyce Roundtree-McCoy, Alex Cummins, Ashley Taylor, Laura Grant
Recommend
More recommend
