St. Joseph Mercy Oakland (SJMO) has received a grant of $3,000 from the Jordan Levin Childhood Obesity Foundation (JLCOF) to provide scholarships for families to participate in the hospital’s SHAPEDOWN youth weight management program.
SHAPEDOWN is a 10-week program based on a holistic approach to weight management for children and teens ages 6-18. Unlike a diet, SHAPEDOWN supports a gradual adoption of a moderate and healthy food intake that provides essential nutrients and leads to weight loss. It also stresses overall fitness, including endurance, flexibility and strength. Key components of the program are family involvement and communication.
A team of licensed health professionals, including a social worker, nutritionist and exercise specialist co-lead each class.
An orientation meeting for SHAPEDOWN is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 14, 2011, in the hospital’s Franco Communications Center, 44405 Woodward Ave., Pontiac.
The orientation session is an opportunity for children and parents to learn more about the program, meet the SHAPEDOWN team and ask questions. Attendance at the orientation is required to attend the classes, which will begin Thursday, May 5.
The five families who receive the scholarships will be entitled to participate in a 12-week program at CrossFit Bloomfield at the completion of SHAPEDOWN. CrossFit offers workout sessions customized to an individual’s fitness level, goals, ability and state of health. The training sessions are conducted by Coach Jordan Levin, a lifelong athlete and fitness enthusiast, who overcame significant childhood challenges to become a fitness coach and motivational speaker.
The non-profit JLCOF was founded in 2009 with the goal of fighting the childhood obesity epidemic one child at a time. The foundation funds and assists overweight/obese children in accessing education, exercise and nutritional counseling. One of the goals of the JLCOF is to send economically challenged overweight children and their parents to local hospital weight management programs to achieve their weight loss goals.
“We are pleased to enter into this new partnership with the Jordan Levin Childhood Obesity Foundation,” said Jack Weiner, SJMO President and CEO. “The foundation’s gift will allow us to reach more families whose children are affected by obesity and help them live longer, healthier lives.”
For more information or to register for the orientation, call SHAPEDOWN Coordinator Julie Esparsa, 248-858-2554.
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