Montefiore News Releases

AstraZeneca Funds Program that Motivates Obese Teens to Adopt Healthy Lifestyles

BRONX, NY (March 1, 2011) -- The AstraZeneca HealthCare Foundation program, Connections for Cardiovascular Health^SM, presented a $150,000 grant to The Children's Hospital at Montefiore to expand the Bronx Nutrition and Fitness Initiative for Teens (B'N Fit) program.

The B'N Fit program is designed to motivate obese teens to adopt healthful nutrition and physical activity habits through comprehensive medical evaluation and management, including teaching sessions after school and at summer camps.

The grant will be used to enhance the B'N Fit program with several activities designed to increase youth participation through an expanded interactive website and increased participation in an annual walkathon.

The AstraZeneca HealthCare Foundation program, Connections for Cardiovascular Health^SM, awards grants of $150,000 and up to US-based nonprofit organizations that are doing innovative work in the field of cardiovascular health.

Data from the 2007-2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey revealed that
18% of adolescents are obese, and that percentage rises among African Americans and
Hispanics - particularly those from underserved communities, such as the Bronx. In New
York City, 40% of students are obese.

Since 2005, Montefiore's B'N Fit program has helped participants lose or maintain their weight - a significant achievement, given that participants gained an average of 30 pounds each in the year prior to joining the program.