Next month, the University of New Mexico Healthy and Fit Children’s Clinic’s partner, the Live Fit Family Challenge Program, will begin sessions.
Sylvia Negrete, the director and founder of the bilingual clinic, said she began the program in 2009 when she noticed many children were visiting her with obesity-related issues and discovered there were no programs in New Mexico dedicated to this community.
In order to be part of the clinic, children must have a Body Mass Index greater than or equal to 85 percent and be between the ages of two and 17, she said. The “comprehensive, multidisciplinary clinic” provides families with education on weight gain through nutritionists, medical providers, physical activity counselors/providers, full medical evaluations and more.
fter seeing the success that the clinic achieved.
At no cost to families attending the clinic, the nine-week intensive exercise program involves families coming together for two and a half hours per week, she said. Apart from weekly workouts, the program helps families shape lifestyles by providing ideas for cooking healthy foods they enjoy and finding simple, inexpensive ways to exercise inside their homes.
Jennie McCary, one of the founders and coordinators of the Live Fit Family Challenge Program, said that her favorite part of the program is watching families take control of their lives, understand the importance of the changes they are making and ultimately, make the changes as a team.
“Families need support. Often people don’t know where to start and it can be confusing," she said."The LFFC program guides families through a step-by-step process focused on small changes."
McCarty said the program aims to aid the entire family without singling out any one member.
“For a family to commit to 11 weeks and take time to focus on this, they’ve succeeded when they finish the program," she said. "[We] never know who it’s going to work for, but this program gives [families] ideas, tools and support to get them started in the right direction.”
Although the program has been quite successful, McCary said she still hopes it receives more community support and institutionalized funding.
Negrete said obesity can cause many issues in children, from heart problems and diabetes to bullying.
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All three women said they understand that obesity is caused by multiple issues.
McCary and McCarty highlighted busy lifestyles leading to parents being unable to cook for their family or squeeze exercise into their schedule, they said.
Negrete said sedentary lifestyles and eating cheaper, often unhealthier foods are also problematic. She suggested substituting water for sugar-sweetened beverages to save money for fruits and vegetables, as well as include walking in one’s lifestyle, which does not cost any money.
She said students involved in the UNM medical program can rotate through the clinic and the program as interns. Volunteering is also possible although limited.
“Since the mid-1970s, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data shows that the prevalence of obesity has tripled,” said Negrete. “We need to help our kids, or else they may not outlive their parents.”
To learn more about the clinic or the program, visit their website.
Elizabeth Sanchez is a reporter for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at news@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @Beth_A_Sanchez.
