Children's Obesity Action Team Receives National Award
July 24, 2006
The National Initiative for Children’s Healthcare Quality (NICHQ) recently recognized the achievements of our Children’s Obesity Action Team (COAT), a multidisciplinary group that develops resources for overweight children and teens, families and the providers who work with them.
The NICHQ ranked COAT as one of the top six in 100 submissions for the 2006 National Recognition Awards for Health Care Programs Addressing Childhood Obesity.
“Pediatric obesity is a growing problem, and the innovative care model developed by the COAT team represents an effective intervention that has the potential to have a national impact,” says Dr. Sandy Melzer, vice president, Strategic Planning and Business Development. “With Children’s commitment to preventing pediatric disease, we are very proud to be a part of the solution to this key issue.”
COAT has developed resources appropriate for working with children of different ages and cultures, drawing on the talents of staff members with medical, nutritional, behavioral and fitness backgrounds.
“Many clinicians have contributed to our multi-faceted approach to addressing the needs of children and teens who are overweight. I would like to acknowledge in particular the leadership efforts of Mo Pomietto, RN, MN as well as Dr. Lenna Liu, Heather Paves, RD, CD and Alicia Dixon Docter, RD, CD, MS,” says Polly Lenssen, clinical manager, who co-chairs COAT with Patty Hencz, RN.
“The COAT group is to be congratulated for bringing staff from different disciplines together in this successful initiative,” says Dr. Bruder Stapleton, pediatrician-in-chief. “This award is an indication of our national leadership in developing effective strategies for working with patients of different ages to achieve and maintain a healthy weight.”
COAT played an important role in the creation of the Strong Kids/Strong Teens program, which involves Children’s, the YMCA of Greater Seattle and Odessa Brown Children’s Clinic.
This program for children and teens focuses on nutrition, physical activity and self-empowerment, involving parents to ensure that participants have the support they need to make lasting lifestyle changes.
COAT is also participating in the National Assessment of Obesity Management, which involves surveying pediatric medical professionals to evaluate the success of current practices and identify successful methods that may be shared.
This year COAT has focused attention on the needs of children referred to Children’s and is establishing a Child Wellness Clinic for patients age 2 to 11 who have a body mass index greater than 95th percentile. The new clinic will allow Children’s to add fitness and behavioral services to the medical and nutrition services currently available.
For more information about COAT visit the COAT Web site, which features practical tips to encourage behavior change, suggestions for motivational counseling and links to resources on pediatric obesity issues.