Teen Obesity Programs
One of the health problems facing America today is the increasing incidence of overweight teens and teenage obesity. If not addressed, this problem could develop into a serious public health issue in the coming decades.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that about 17 percent of ages 12 -19 are overweight. The Pinnacle Schools recognize that there are many issues at play when it comes to overweight teens. It is important to realize that the problem is more than just the weight. There may be medical and psychological issues that may include depression and body image problems.
Elk River Healthy Lifestyles addresses the medical, psychological and physical issues of weight. Healthy Lifestyles is a Pediatric Weight Management Program that is medically based, multidisciplinary, and developmentally sensitive approach designed to educate the entire family.
Certified instructors follow the nation’s leading family-based weight loss management program for children and teens: Shapedown. Studies have shown that when families participate in Healthy Lifestyles, there is a significant improvement in weight management knowledge, self-esteem, depression, diet and exercise habits. Healthy Lifestyles not only helps families improve their nutrition and activity level, but focuses on common underlying factors that fuel a child’s excessive appetite for food and inactive pursuits.
Although exercise physiology, nutrition and behavioral techniques are used, the power in Healthy Lifestyles comes from its sensitive and practical use of family therapy and psycho-educational techniques. Instead of a diet which causes children to feel deprived, the Healthy Lifestyles program supports food intake that provides essential nutrients while addressing the emotional and physical health of a child. Children learn strategies to stop peer teasing and raise their self esteem through a positive body image.
Healthy Lifestyles supports the mission of The Pinnacle Schools by providing an environment of respect, acceptance, and challenge where students can become self-directed, educated and contributing members of society.
