Youths learn healthy living principles
Holding a bag of grease that represents the fat in three slices of Meat Lovers, stuffed-crust pizza, Summit dietician Stephanie Timlick talks about the cultural environment that encourages people to eat unhealthy amounts of fat, calories and sugar. The three slices of pizza contain 1,575 calories and 87 grams of fat. The recommended daiily allowance of fat for an adult woman is a maximum of 65 grams. Timlick is teaching a Way to Go Kids class for children, which focuses on healthy eating and increasing activity. Karen Nichols/Daily Inter Lake
Dietitian Stephanie Timlick gets youngsters' attention with a baggie stuffed with fat that is the equivalent of what you would get if you ordered a popular double burger with cheese.
Bags of greasy fat serve as visual aids in The Summit's new "Way To Go Kids" program aimed at teaching healthy eating and promoting activity for a healthier life.
"We make it fun," Timlick said. "Kids are wide-eyed and interested."
A second round of the eight-week series of classes begins Monday. According to Timlick, a few openings remain for the program, which targets children ages 9 to 14.
"We're flexible on age groups," she said. "We had one 17-year-old in the last session and she fit in just fine."
The series includes three parents-only sessions of 30 to 60 minutes each. Parents learn how to encourage and support their children along with strengthening their nutritional knowledge.
"People think they know about food," Timlick said. "But they really aren't educated."
In their special classes, parents become a support group for each other as they study balanced diets, labels and portion sizes.
As a clinical program, Way To Go Kids qualifies for Medicaid reimbursement of the $200 enrollment fee. The Summit also waives its registration fee for non-members who choose to join the fitness club following the classes.
Timlick said Way To Go Kids admits only 10 children to maximize individual attention. The format was developed about five years ago, then spread to hospitals and fitness facilities nationwide.
"So it's a reputable program," she said.
The Summit launched its first series in January. According to Timlick, a few of the youngsters were hesitant to sign up until parents promised they could drop out if they didn't enjoy the two-hour, Monday evening classes.
Few exercised their easy-out clause.
"We had a very good retention rate," she said.
The first graduates gave the eight classes an A in follow-up evaluations. The baggy segments won as the hands-on favorite of nutrition education sections taught by Timlick.
Along with the fat in hamburgers and fries, Timlick bagged up the eye-popping portions of sugar hidden in a 12-ounce soda. While youngsters glaze over at gram charts, these bags open up their eyes.
"The focus really isn't to get kids to lose weight," she said. "It's to prevent further weight gain."
Timlick brings healthy snacks, such as fruit kabobs, to each class. She also brings recipes for healthy breakfasts, lunches and dinners.
A professional dietitian for eight years, Timlick explained that youngsters in the target age groups will grow into their excess weight. She said losing weight may damage their health as they develop their adult bodies.
As an example, she said girls typically gain weight before a growth cycle begins. Timlick works with youngsters to combat the unhealthy body images portrayed by teen idols such as Britney Spears and models on some magazine covers.
"One of the eight nutrition classes is on body image," she said. "I really play down weight."
Timlick points out that muscle weighs more than fat so weight doesn't equate to fitness, the other goal of the program.
During the second hour of each class, two fitness experts from The Summit's afterschool SPARK program get the youngsters moving with the benefit of the fitness center's swimming pool, tennis and other facilities.
"We give them exercises they can do at home," Timlick said.
Parents and the youngsters get homework assignments that tighten the bond between the two as they adopt a more healthy lifestyle. Challenges include drinking eight glasses of water or eating five servings of fruit and vegetables.
For successes, they earn points toward non-food rewards. A parent may win an extra chore performed, while the child may earn a special treat like a trip to the park.
"Getting the parent involved is so critical," Timlick said.
The Summit bought the Way To Go Kids series as part of a grant awarded for obesity prevention to the facility in partnership with Flathead City-County Health Department.
For more information, interested parents may call Timlick at 751-4128.
Reporter Candace Chase may be reached at 758-4436 or by e-mail at cchase@dailyinterlake.com