1. A Service of Flagstaff Medical Center and Verde Valley Medical Center
“Promoting healthy lifestyles for children and their families while reducing childhood obesity rates.”

2. Fit Kids Vision
“Promote healthy living for children and their families through clinical intervention services, community education, local activities, public events, and policy change efforts in a commitment to reduce childhood obesity rates and the health consequences that affect our Country’s youth.”

3. Fit Kids Background
Flagstaff and Cottonwood (offered at Flagstaff Medical Center and Verde Valley Medical Center)
Serves population from Prescott north to Grand Canyon
Opened clinic programs in 2009, began community outreach in 2010
2,000 clinic appointments, 970 patients medically referred

4. Fit Kids Clinical Program
Referral made from: Pediatrician, School Nurse, or Self Referral into program
Families meet with staff including: Nurse Practitioner, Registered Dietician, Exercise Physiologist, Behavioral Counselor
Set goals with each specialty, Fit Kids is at least a 6-month program
Graduation occurs when child meets goals and sustains change
Long term follow up and re-referral

5. Fit Kids Community Program (Schools)
School measurements in three districts
Educational classes to schools, partner with County Health Department to reach all students
After-school activities, partner with local running groups
Wellness policy input for school districts
School fitness tests used to improve school curriculum and avoid cutting needed programs

6. Fit Kids Community Program (General Public)
Fit Kids (All About ME! Series, 5k/10k Fun Runs, Summer Camps)
Healthy cooking demonstrations, discounted recreation center days, community events (partner with local City resources)
Policy change (internally and externally)
Create business partnership to mutually benefit both programs

7. Fit Kids Leadership Advisory Board City support from Mayors
School support from Superintendents
Hospital support from Presidents
Support from Hospital Boards
Community support from Parents

8. Fit Kids Financial Support
Flagstaff Medical Center/Verde Valley Medical Center
Grant funders
Partner organizations
Donations

9. Fit Kids Need
30% of children clinically referred are being diagnosed as pre-diabetic
31% elementary aged children across two school districts are categorized as overweight or obese
Nationally 1 out of 3 children(age 2-19) are overweight or obese (Journal of American Medical Association)
RWJF Report: “F as in Fat”, children and adults are not showing improvements

10. Fit Kids Results
70% of patients have shown clinic improvements in weight, BMI, or BMI percentile in the past year
Identified significant drop in students BMI past grade 7
Updating school district policy
Offer 4 annual events for community participation
Created partnerships and community support towards our goal

11. Starting Your Own Program
Pick your target location and boundary
Determine the need (childhood wellness, adult education, etc.) Use of County resources and hospital data will help guide you
Select your population (all children, all adults, specific groups, etc.)
Determine your budget
Choose your curriculum and staff
Set goals/objectives

12. Starting Your Own Program
Choose your partners carefully (who can/is willing to help)
Market your efforts (media, press, community outreach)
Work within your organization to engage families
Continue to improve, evaluate the program’s success, modify as needed

13. Starting Your Own Program
You can use the Fit Kids of Arizona program as a model for your program
We would be happy to assist you
Contact Matt Leversee at

14. Let’s Make a Difference! Thank You