Free Program to Help Kids and Families Fight Obesity

Loyola University
Health System has teamed up with ProActiveKids (PAK) Foundation to help
children and their families in the battle against obesity by offering a free
program for children who have a body mass index (BMI) in the 85th
percentile or higher.

The program
teaches kids, ages 8-14, and family members fun ways to improve health through
exercise, nutritional lessons and open discussion. Held for eight weeks, it
provides commitment and support for families and addresses issues such as
fitness, personal health, self-esteem and body image.

Kids attend a
90-minute program on Mondays and Wednesdays that is designed just for them. In
a safe environment they are able to learn more about how to work out safely, gain
confidence and skills in different athletic outlets as well as discuss
relationships with food, self-esteem issues and other personal struggles. On
Fridays the whole family gets involved. For two hours most family members can
participate in all components of the program including learning how to make
healthy food choices from a dietitian. Sessions will be held at Gottlieb
Memorial Hospital located at 551 W. North Ave. in Melrose Park.

“The program is a
community-based, family-centered, short-term program that can help many
families at no cost,” said Garry Sigman, MD, medical director of the Loyola
University Health System Pediatric Weight Management Clinic.

To qualify for the
program the child will need a physician to fill out an enrollment form that can
be found by visiting www.proactivekids.org.

Though every
child’s experience will be different, PAK is designed to improve the following
five measures:

·        
Decrease BMI

·        
Develop athletic skills like endurance, strength
and flexibility

·        
Enhance self-esteem

·        
Improve social behaviors like communicating,
body image and self-esteem

·        
Facilitate sustainable positive nutritional
behaviors and decision-making

“The PAK program
provides the completion of our care continuum that we have developed at Loyola.
The first line of defense is the primary care physician who can handle most
kids’ weight challenges. If additional care is needed the pediatric weight
management clinic can offer a multidisciplinary approach to care for children
with the most severe obesity. PAK offers an additional resource for parents who
need something more than office care, but less than the specialty clinic,” said
Sigman.

PAK sessions will
be held June 9-August 1, September 15-November 7, 2014 and January 12- March 6,
2015.

To enroll visit www.proactivekids.org. For more
information email info@proactivekids.org
or call (630) 681-1558.