A family centered team approach
to pediatric weight loss

 

Building Healthy Families (BHF) is a family based obesity treatment program for children and adults.  The key components of the program include a reinforcing environment, education, practice, individualized assessments, and progress monitoring. Physical activity, nutrition and behavioral modification are cornerstone components to the program.

The program is family based and will require attendance at weekly sessions at the UNK Physical Activity and Wellness Lab and will last 1.5-2 hours, scheduled on Monday nights from 6:00pm-7:30pm for 12 weeks.  During this visit, every family members' body weight will be measured and recorded.  Dr. Nancy Foster, a licensed behavioral psychologist, will work with families to evaluate family behaviors and develop family goals. Example goals would be:  limiting soda consumption, reduction or elimination of television viewing, limiting of fast food to once per week, or other health enhancing and weight reduction strategies.  Families who meet their goals, lose weight!

During the weekly session, all family members will participate in practical nutrition education conducted by Kaiti George, RD. The overlying goal for each session will be to increase the participant's knowledge on nutrition related. There will be a different topic each week aimed at helping families make better choices. Physical activity will be held for children during the program and adults will have the opportunity to exercise throughout the week with a personal wellness coach (UNK Exercise Science Student).

Each participating child and parents will be assessed for body fat, blood pressure, fitness and overall health status at the beginning and at 12 weeks, 6months and 12 months. Families will meet with Dr. Kate Heelan, Physical Activity and Wellness Lab Director, to determine weight status goals and accomplishments throughout the program.

After several years of experience, our results have proven success for both children and adults. Obese children have lost more than 5% of their body mass in twelve weeks while adult weight loss has averaged 14 lbs in 12 weeks with some losing up to 40 lbs. The results are just as good, if not better than published weight loss programs across the country.

Scholarships will be made available for families who demonstrate financial hardship.

An informational meeting will be held in the UNK Physical Activity and Wellness Lab. Individuals and families interested in participating in the program should attend this meeting to learn more about the program and to get signed up! Please call Tami at 865-8336 or e-mail bhf.kearney@gmail.com for specifics or with questions.