March 2007
Strong Kids Strong Teens Motivates
Overweight Kids to Lifestyle Change
Strong Kids Strong Teens is a nutrition, physical activity and self-empowerment program that serves overweight children and teens and their parents at community-based YMCAs.
Developed in partnership with the YMCA of Greater Seattle, Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Centers and Odessa Brown Children's Clinic, Strong Kids Strong Teens is designed for youth ages 8 to 14 years who are overweight or at risk of becoming overweight. Doctors use a child’s height, weight and age to estimate the amount of their body fat (body mass index or BMI). Those who have a BMI index greater than 85 percent of the population are eligible for the program.
The program includes:
- Two 90-minute sessions per week for 12 weeks
- Monthly follow-up sessions for six months
- Required participation of an adult family member and the child
Designed around “best practices” and strategies that accompany lifestyle change, Strong Kids Strong Teens requires a referral from a health care provider. The program offers three months of intervention, a six-month maintenance phase, a personal YMCA family coach and access to multiple YMCA activities to encourage the development of healthier habits.
Families gather for sessions with Y fitness staff and a nutritionist to discuss topics including body images in the media, reading labels and meal planning. Because youth obesity has both physical and psychological causes, every session address young peoples’ needs for both physical activity and emotional support.
The Strong Kids Strong Teens curriculum was piloted at the Auburn Valley and Meredith Mathews East Madison branches of the YMCA of Greater Seattle beginning in the fall of 2004. In 2005-06, with support from Steps to Health King County, additional programs were offered at these branches and expanded to the Highline and Fauntleroy YMCAs. Neighboring YMCA Associations are joining the effort, including the Marysville YMCA and the YMCA of Tacoma-Pierce County. A local session began in February at the Highline YMCA in Burien.
In April and May, the program will expand to the Bellevue Family YMCA and the Northshore YMCA in Bothell. Programs are planned for the fall at the Auburn Valley YMCA, Fauntleroy YMCA and Meredith Mathews East Madison YMCA.
To-date, programs have been offered at no charge to families with generous support from Steps to Health King County and the YMCA, and the partnership will continue to seek such funds. However, it is likely that in the future, some branches will begin charging a modest fee.
For more information, contact Mary Jones, the Strong Kids/Strong Teens Project co-director at Children’s Hospital (206-987-1387 or mary.jones@seattlechildrens.org) or Linna Dossett, YMCA senior director of total health (206-382-4361 or ldossett@seattleymca.org).
Parents should call the branch contact listed below to request a referral form to give to their child’s doctor or healthcare provider.
Highline YMCA (serving Highline, Burien, Des Moines, SeaTac, Tukwila; offers the program for 8-11-year-olds)
17874 Des Moines Memorial Drive, Burien, WA 98148
Contact for Strong Kids Strong Teens: Rebecca McKinnon, 206-244-5880
Next round of classes is beginning in February. Meets every Wednesday, 6:30 – 8 p.m. and Saturday 10:30 a.m. - noon. They usually enroll 14 families.Northshore YMCA (serving Bothell, Kenmore, Woodinville, Duvall; will offer the program for 8-11-year-olds)
11811 NE 195th St., Bothell, WA 98011
Contact for Strong Kids Strong Teens: Kaye Dickenson-Boldrey, 425-485-9797
The branch currently plans for the orientation to take place in mid-April with formal classes beginning the week of April 23. The class is expected to meet twice per week (Tuesday evening and Saturday morning) for 12 weeks and once per month for six months thereafter.Bellevue Family YMCA (serving Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond; will offer the program for 8-11-year-olds)
14230 Bel-Red Road, Bellevue, WA 98104
Bellevue Contact for Strong Kids Strong Teens: Allison J. Melino, 425-746-9900
The branch plans to begin Strong Kids Strong Teens in May; specific class details are pending.
The following YMCAs have classes underway or are expecting to start a new round of classes later in 2007:
Auburn Valley YMCA (serving Auburn, Kent, Pacific, Enumclaw; offers the program for 12-14-year-olds)
1620 Perimeter Road S.W., Auburn, WA 98007
Contact for Strong Kids Strong Teens: Shelly Skaro, 253-833-2770Fauntleroy YMCA (serving West Seattle, White Center, High Point; offers the program for 12-14-year-olds)
9260 California Ave. S.W., Seattle, WA 98136
Contact for Strong Kids Strong Teens: Alexis McClain, 206-937-1000Meredith Mathews East Madison YMCA (Capitol Hill; offers the program for 8-11- year-olds)
1700 23rd Ave.Seattle, WA 98122
Contact for Strong Kids Strong Teens: Tonja Ayala, 206-322-6969Marysville/N. County Family YMCA (8-11-year-olds)
6420 60th Drive N.E., Marysville, WA 98270
Contact for Strong Kids Strong Teens: Caroline Brown, 360-653-9622
Monica Elenbaas is vice president of communications for the YMCA of Greater Seattle.
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