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Childhood Obesity Prevention Initiative

Categories: Diabetes Prevention,Childhood Obesity Prevention,Promote Health and Wellness

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan worked with healthcare professionals to develop the Pediatric Healthy Weight Toolkit, a resource for physicians to identify overweight and obese children and counsel families on the health risks associated with obesity.  Each toolkit contains approximately 20 pages of materials, including:

  • Age-specific body mass index (BMI) charts
  • Risk assessments of a child’s likelihood of becoming obese
  • Treatment recommendations for overweight and obese children
  • Techniques for effective communication with families
  • Resources for identifying and managing type 2 diabetes and hypertension in children

Additionally, the childhood obesity prevention initiative offers grants to community- and school-based programs that encourage physical activity and good nutrition. These initiatives aim to reduce the incidence of childhood obesity and instill healthy lifestyle habits in youth statewide.