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Obesity Discussion · 07-19-06, 04:35 AM

Free program helps families fight obesity
Editor, the Record:

This week, parents of students of the East Stroudsburg School District received a letter informing them about their child's Body Mass Index percentile. The Body Mass Index percentile is one tool used by healthcare professionals to help determine underweight, overweight or obesity.

I thought the letter was direct and clearly stated for the parent to turn to their regular healthcare professional if their child was not in the normal range. However, I didn't read what a pediatrician would do to deal with a child's issue. As a parent, I didn't understand what my pediatrician's options were or mine.

I am the program coordinator of the Sustainable Nutrition and Activity Plan program at Marywood University. SNAP! is one program available to assist families. We work with children between the ages of 6-11 and their parents who both have weight management issues. We help people work with the family dynamic that can create generational weight issues and we do it absolutely free. Blue Cross of NEPA awarded us a grant making the program affordable to all members of the community. The third year of SNAP! will begin in a few weeks, but we have some spaces available for families. Our e-mail address is snap.ac@marywood.edu. Parents can learn more about the program at www.marywood.edu/snap. Other programs are available and can be accessed via Steps to a Healthier PA, the Pennsylvania Advocates for Nutrition and Activity panaonline.org, as well as programs which have been done through our local YMCA.

BMIs can be confusing. I encourage parents not only to contact their regular healthcare provider, but to inquire as to whether a nutrition professional, such as a registered dietitian, could give additional support and information to address their specific concerns.

Article

07-19-06, 04:35 AM	#2 (permalink)
Obesity Discussion Administrator Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 7,642 Weight Statistics 8/1/2006 Start Date: 185 lb Start Weight: 152 lb Current Weight: 155 lb Goal Weight: -33 lb Weight Loss: 5/1/2007 Goal Date:	Re: Pennsylvania Free program helps families fight obesity Editor, the Record: This week, parents of students of the East Stroudsburg School District received a letter informing them about their child's Body Mass Index percentile. The Body Mass Index percentile is one tool used by healthcare professionals to help determine underweight, overweight or obesity. I thought the letter was direct and clearly stated for the parent to turn to their regular healthcare professional if their child was not in the normal range. However, I didn't read what a pediatrician would do to deal with a child's issue. As a parent, I didn't understand what my pediatrician's options were or mine. I am the program coordinator of the Sustainable Nutrition and Activity Plan program at Marywood University. SNAP! is one program available to assist families. We work with children between the ages of 6-11 and their parents who both have weight management issues. We help people work with the family dynamic that can create generational weight issues and we do it absolutely free. Blue Cross of NEPA awarded us a grant making the program affordable to all members of the community. The third year of SNAP! will begin in a few weeks, but we have some spaces available for families. Our e-mail address is snap.ac@marywood.edu. Parents can learn more about the program at www.marywood.edu/snap. Other programs are available and can be accessed via Steps to a Healthier PA, the Pennsylvania Advocates for Nutrition and Activity panaonline.org, as well as programs which have been done through our local YMCA. BMIs can be confusing. I encourage parents not only to contact their regular healthcare provider, but to inquire as to whether a nutrition professional, such as a registered dietitian, could give additional support and information to address their specific concerns. Article __________________