Oct. 13, 2010
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas Offers Tools to Reduce Childhood Obesity
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas recently collaborated with the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) and participating Blue Plans to develop the Good Health Club Physician ToolkitSM – unique educational materials designed to foster better communication between pediatricians and their patients on childhood obesity and diabetes prevention.
The Good Health Club Physician Toolkit, developed in consultation with the American Diabetes Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics, uses a group of animated characters to encourage kids to get active and make healthy food and drink choices. Tips were compiled into an easy-to-remember “5-2-1-0” daily formula:
“Obese youth are very likely to become overweight or obese as adults, which is then associated with adult diseases such as type 2 diabetes, stroke, heart disease, cancer and osteoarthritis,” said Michael Atwood, MD, BCBSKS chief medical officer. “We would like to educate, encourage and help children and parents understand that their choices will have a significant impact on their quality of life."
BCBSKS distributed the toolkits to pediatricians in its contracting provider network, and also has made the materials available for parents at www.bcbsks.com. The toolkit contains tip sheets, wall posters, physician reference materials, tracking sheets and brochures with educational information; all pieces are available in English and Spanish.
“By offering these tools we hope to help members make positive choices that will be adopted for a lifetime,” said Dr. Atwood. “Lifestyle habits such as healthy eating and regular physical activity can lower the risk of becoming obese and developing chronic diseases. That is why it is so important to instill healthy behaviors in children.”
Childhood obesity has more than tripled in the past 30 years, and type 2 diabetes (formerly known as adult-onset diabetes) has been reported among U.S. children and adolescents with increasing frequency in the last two decades, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Childhood obesity is the leading cause of pediatric hypertension and increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and stress on weight-bearing joints.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. BCBSKS is the state's largest health insurer, serving all Kansas counties except Johnson and Wyandotte.
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