A Service of
Flagstaff Medical Center and
Verde Valley Medical Center
“Promoting healthy lifestyles for children and their
families while reducing childhood obesity rates.”
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.”
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
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
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
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
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
Fit Kids Financial Support
• Flagstaff Medical Center/Verde Valley Medical Center
• Grant funders
• Partner organizations
• Donations
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
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
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
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
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 928-214-3585