A Service of Flagstaff Medical Center and Verde Valley Medical Center

1. A Service of Flagstaff Medical Center and Verde Valley Medical Center “Promoting healthy lifestyles for children and their families while reducing childhood obesity rates.”

2. Fit Kids Vision • “Promote healthy living for children and their families through clinical intervention services, community education, local activities, public events, and policy change efforts in a commitment to reduce childhood obesity rates and the health consequences that affect our Country’s youth.”

3. Fit Kids Background • Flagstaff and Cottonwood (offered at Flagstaff Medical Center and Verde Valley Medical Center) • Serves population from Prescott north to Grand Canyon • Opened clinic programs in 2009, began community outreach in 2010 • 2,000 clinic appointments, 970 patients medically referred

4. Fit Kids Clinical Program • Referral made from: Pediatrician, School Nurse, or Self Referral into program • Families meet with staff including: Nurse Practitioner, Registered Dietician, Exercise Physiologist, Behavioral Counselor • Set goals with each specialty, Fit Kids is at least a 6-month program • Graduation occurs when child meets goals and sustains change • Long term follow up and re-referral

5. Fit Kids Community Program (Schools) • School measurements in three districts • Educational classes to schools, partner with County Health Department to reach all students • After-school activities, partner with local running groups • Wellness policy input for school districts • School fitness tests used to improve school curriculum and avoid cutting needed programs

6. Fit Kids Community Program (General Public) • Fit Kids (All About ME! Series, 5k/10k Fun Runs, Summer Camps) • Healthy cooking demonstrations, discounted recreation center days, community events (partner with local City resources) • Policy change (internally and externally) • Create business partnership to mutually benefit both programs

7. Fit Kids Leadership • Advisory Board • City support from Mayors • School support from Superintendents • Hospital support from Presidents • Support from Hospital Boards • Community support from Parents

8. Fit Kids Financial Support • Flagstaff Medical Center/Verde Valley Medical Center • Grant funders • Partner organizations • Donations

9. Fit Kids Need • 30% of children clinically referred are being diagnosed as pre-diabetic • 31% elementary aged children across two school districts are categorized as overweight or obese • Nationally 1 out of 3 children(age 2-19) are overweight or obese (Journal of American Medical Association) • RWJF Report: “F as in Fat”, children and adults are not showing improvements

10. Fit Kids Results • 70% of patients have shown clinic improvements in weight, BMI, or BMI percentile in the past year • Identified significant drop in students BMI past grade 7 • Updating school district policy • Offer 4 annual events for community participation • Created partnerships and community support towards our goal

11. Starting Your Own Program • Pick your target location and boundary • Determine the need (childhood wellness, adult education, etc.) Use of County resources and hospital data will help guide you • Select your population (all children, all adults, specific groups, etc.) • Determine your budget • Choose your curriculum and staff • Set goals/objectives

12. Starting Your Own Program • Choose your partners carefully (who can/is willing to help) • Market your efforts (media, press, community outreach) • Work within your organization to engage families • Continue to improve, evaluate the program’s success, modify as needed

13. Starting Your Own Program • You can use the Fit Kids of Arizona program as a model for your program • We would be happy to assist you • Contact Matt Leversee at 928-214-3585

14. Let’s Make a Difference!Thank You