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WIN-WIN
(Weight Initiative Now)
FACT SHEET
GOAL: To incorporate obesity treatment and prevention program in all
aspects of patient health care at the health center.
The Problem: 40% of the South End Community Health Center's pediatric patients, are
overweight or "clinically at risk" for obesity (v.s.14% nationwide). Over 60% of adult
patients are overweight or obese, because of the demographics of the population served
(predominantly urban, poor, Hispanic or African -American.) Obesity leads to life-threatening
illnesses such as diabetes mellitus, heart disease, and stroke as well as arthritis,
hypertension and depression.
Description: WIN-WIN tested a multi-disciplinary intervention model for 2 years, beginning in
April 2003, for pediatric patients, aged 8-13, overweight or "clinically at risk" for
overweight. The model included weekly exercise, nutrition and cooking classes. Care-takers
were encouraged to attend. Our grantors determined the target population but we felt that
too few patients benefited from such a program and that we had to broaden the scope and
target of the intervention.
New model for the WIN-WIN program with the goal of prevention and treatment of obesity, will
include:
- Educating the staff in personal weight management via group nutrition and exercise programs
- Training all providers in motivational interviewing to facilitate behavioral changes
- Screening all patients for BMI's over the 85th %tile (age-adjusted for children)
- Intervening with nutrition education and counseling for all stages of the life cycle
- Promoting breast feeding
- Facilitating access for staff and patients to exercise programs
- Producing and marketing an exercise DVD for families
- Encouraging active behaviors, thereby discouraging sedentary behaviors
- Addressing related emotional health issues
Leadership: WIN-WIN initiatives will be led by health center's physician-in-chief, Dr. Gerald
Hass, and implemented by the program manager, Judy Phillips, MSRD, LDN and senior nutritionist,
Lela Silverstein, MS,LDN.
Funding: WIN-WIN is supported by grants from: Children's Hospital Boston Fitness in the City
Initiative, The Massachusetts Medical Society; The Boston Public Health Commission (Steps to a
Healthier US ); The Boston Foundation; the Clipper Foundation, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care
Foundation and the Yawkey Foundation.
Collaboration with community and state organizations enables us to offer WIN-WIN programs.
They include: Family Nutrition Program at the University of Massachusetts Extension Service;
Blackstone Community Center; Boston Public Health Commission's South End Fitness Center;
Harvard Medical School; Wang YMCA in Chinatown, and Body-by- Brandy Fitness Center.
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