KIDS FANS Wellness Program
A healthy lifestyle is among the most important gifts a parent can give to a child, one that will enable him or her to enjoy a longer, better life. Your child may benefit from a new program Stamford Hospital now offers to help children get fit and become healthier - while learning all about what it means to live a healthy lifestyle.
What is KIDS' FANS 5-2-1-0?
KIDS' FANS 5-2-1-0 stands for Kids' Fitness and Nutrition Services - 5 servings of vegetables and fruit/day; 2 hours or less of TV; 1 hour of physical activity; 0 servings of soda or sugar-added drinks a day.
What is the Program about?
There are two KIDS' FANS groups which meet for 12 weeks either on Mondays or Wednesdays. There will be individual medical and nutritional sessions and twice-weekly group exercise classes. The program begins with a full medical and nutritional assessment, including blood tests. The exercise classes will consist of fitness testing, heart-health goal setting and fitness training, including strength, yoga and Pilates. Special sessions for parents will discuss family involvement and how to help support your child through the program. Kids will also learn about making good choices, self esteem, peer pressure, and lifestyle change.
"This program helped me understand many things - first, the right portion of each meal and then the way to select healthy foods. We learned how read labels and how to combine healthy foods with good exercise so that we can be healthy.
This has also changed how I and my husband eat. My family is more active and has more energy now.
- Mother of three sons who participated in KIDS FAN 5-2-1-0
Who Runs the Program?
Our program is run by highly qualified professionals who will meet with you and your child individually, and in groups. Staff include a pediatrician, a nutritionist, a social worker and exercise instructors.
How Does It Work?
The KIDS' FANS program is based in the Children's Specialty Center on the 4th floor at the Tully Health Center, which is where all individual meetings will be held. The exercise sessions and other group sessions will be held in the Brace Auditorium on the first floor at Tully. School bus transportation from your child's school to the Tully Health Center will be provided Mondays and Wednesdays, at the end of the school day, for the entire 12 weeks of the program.
Important Note: For all sessions with the physician and nutritionist, a parent must accompany the child. Each session lasts 30 minutes. We will provide supervision between appointments on scheduled program days.
Why is Parent Involvement Important?
Remember, this is a lifestyle intervention program and your participation is crucial to the success and well-being of your child. We require that parents accompany children to the pediatrician and nutritionist sessions. You will also be meeting with a social worker for individual/group sessions. We will provide a schedule of meeting times in advance to help you coordinate your schedule.
What are the Fees?
The KIDS' FANS Wellness Program does not charge an upfront fee. However, there is a charge for all sessions with the physician, nutritionist, and social worker. Depending on your insurance plan, a significant portion of these charges may be reimbursable. You will be responsible for any deductibles and co-pays required by your insurance company. There is no charge for the exercise classes.
When Does the Next Program Start?
The program is offered every three months and runs for 12 weeks. There are two groups. Your child can choose which works best for his or her schedule, but please note that attendance at the exercise classes on both Monday and Wednesday is mandatory for all participants. Please also note that your child must remain in the group they select. We cannot accommodate changes between the Monday and Wednesday groups.
How Do We Enroll?
Please ask your pediatrician to submit a KIDS' FANS Wellness Program referral form. In addition, please call Rita at 203-276-7307 to enroll or if your have any questions.
We have offered KIDS' FANS services for three years, with more than 80% of kids who participate showing improvement. Please consider this program as it offers your child the lifelong gift of good health!
Please call The Children's Specialty Center at 203-276-7307 if you have any questions. The Tully Health Center is located at 32 Strawberry Hill Court, Stamford, CT.
For more information or to make an appointment please call
1-877-233-WELL (9355).