Hospital News

South County Hospital Food, Fitness and Fun Program is designed to teach children and their families about healthy lifestyle choices that include the importance of a healthy diet and physical exercise.

The Program Director, Stephanie Marchand, has a PhD in Nutrition and Food Science and has worked for many years in Pediatric Nutrition at Hasbro Children's Hospital. Additional members of the Food, Fitness and Fun Program team include; pediatricians Dr. Celeste Corcoran and Dr. Heather DiBiasio, who determine if the program is appropriate for each child; Rachel Clough from Busy Bodies Studio, LLC, who provides exercise and play programs to keep the participants active; Dr. Geoffrey Greene, University of Rhode Island Professor of Nutrition and Lucinda Arias, a URI graduate assistant who helps to coordinate families and track the progress of program participants.

The 16-week program had seven children ranging from ages 7-11 and their families participating in the most recent session. Families were thrilled by the changes they saw not only in the lifestyle choices made by their children, but by their entire households. The program participants met once a week and the meetings included a physical exercise program for the children as well as a curriculum on proper nutrition for entire families. All the parents agreed that the children were receptive to suggestions on diet and exercise when they were coming from "professionals" not just mom and dad.

"They learn a lot of this information in school." said Dottie Darcy, whose 8-year old daughter participated in the class. "But this program really reinforces the messages." Dottie said she has learned from the program as well and she now buys more food rich in fiber and encourages her whole family to drink more water.

Sue Obertello enjoyed the fact that her daughter would come home and share what she learned with the rest of her family after the session. "It is a wonderful program."

Caroline O'Coin emphasized how much fun her daughter had participating. "And the program is not focused on weight, but on making better choices," she said. "It taught us healthier habits and how to exercise and be active without having to participate in a competitive sport."

The program operates free of cost to its participants and for the first four month session, all the clinical program leaders volunteered their time. Rachel Clough also donated her time and provided space at Busy Bodies Studio free of charge. Going forward, Marchand hopes to acquire some grant funding to run the program on a long-term basis and allow more children to benefit from the education provided.

"South County Hospital has been very supportive and funded some of the equipment used in the program. But we need some additional resources to support the program and the participants and allow for additional children to take part," she said.