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The New York State Health Foundation (NYSHealth), established by the State of New York with charitable funds from the privatization of Empire Blue Cross/Blue Shield, announced its grant to the Mosholu Montefiore Community Center and The Children’s Hospital at Montefiore, which has been serving impoverished and diverse Bronx communities since 1942. The grant was made to support a program called the B'N Fit program, that addresses the epidemic of obesity among New York high school students.
James R. Knickman, president and CEO of NYSHealth, said, “Alarming statistics from the Department of Health show that almost one in three high school students in New York City and State are obese –30 percent of them in the City, 28 percent in the State. Health care providers are very concerned about the long-term health implications for our overweight children. These children are prone to high blood pressure, high cholesterol, increased rates of adult onset diabetes, obstructive sleep apnea, worsening of asthma, and even obesity-related kidney, liver, and bone disease. The B’N Fit program offers a very comprehensive, well-conceived approach that reaches a needy population. Its’ outreach to the community allows it to reach more young people with undiagnosed health problems than a hospital-only model and ensures far greater participation.”
Jessica Rieder, MD, Medical Director of the B’N Fit program, said, “We have created a unique program to address the needs of obese teens in the Bronx. Through our partnership, the teens are offered a comprehensive medical evaluation and treatment plan for their obesity-related illness. The treatment plan incorporates a safe and fun community-based environment where the teens can come with their families to experience how to adopt life-long healthful behaviors.”
B’N Fit uses a multifaceted approach to screen and identify obese teens, make them aware of the need to make changes in their lifestyles, provide information and supports to empower youth to set and achieve personal goals, improve their nutrition, involve their families in weight control/reduction efforts, and increase their physical activity.
B’N Fit started as a hospital-based initiative with weekly physical activities offered at Mosholu Montefiore Community Center, serving teens referred by physicians. Support from the NYSHealth grant will allow for:
Enhanced activities based on the program already underway at Mosholu Montefiore Community Center.
Expanded capacity for screening youth with undiagnosed health problems at Mosholu Montefiore Community Center and in area high schools.
Referral and enrollment of teens identified as obese in B'N Fit's intensive 12-week program, which provides physical exams, counseling about methods to lose weight, and motivational activities to encourage exercise and good nutrition. The program is implemented by a team that includes a nutritionist, social worker and youth worker and it operates four days a week.
Eligibility to participate in a special two-week day camp program for B’N fit youth, in addition to the 12-week program,
After completing the intensive program, youth can remain in the B’N Fit maintenance program until age 21. Expanded family involvement activities will include monthly orientations for parents of youth new to the program and healthy food demonstrations for all families as well as in-home assessments and nutrition counseling. Participants and families will be encouraged to use their new awareness and knowledge to advocate for community-wide changes to improve health.
NYSHealth makes grants that reflect its three-part mission to (1) expand health insurance coverage to the 2.8 million state residents without it, (2) increase access to high-quality health care services to vulnerable populations, and (3) improve public and community health by educating New Yorkers about health concerns and by empowering communities to address them.
Mosholu Montefiore Community Center has been serving impoverished and diverse Bronx communities since 1942. Its mission is to stabilize and unite communities and assist and empower people to achieve their fullest potential, live as independently as possible, and have a stake in society. Each year Mosholu Montefiore Community Center provides congregate lunches and enrichment activities for older adults and literacy, ESL, GED, citizenship, recreational, cultural and educational programs and health screenings for adults of all ages. Eighty percent of the 25,000 people Mosholu Montefiore Community Center serves are youth, including 8,500 ages 12-21 who participate in social, cultural, recreational, job readiness, educational, employment and health and nutrition programs.
Opened in 2001, the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore is the center of their Child Health Network. This unique approach to children’s health services links the expertise and technology of a world-class hospital staffed by leading specialists in all areas of pediatrics – with an extensive network of community-based primary care. Montefiore serves children across the New York region and for families across the globe seeking the most advanced medical procedures.
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