Join for Me program helps children lose weight

Topeka resident Dawn Pershall watched her children consider the food choices laid out on a table in a classroom at Garfield Community Center, 1600 N.E. Quincy St.

The youngsters —Jose, 11, Sadie, 8, Nicolas, 6, and Alex, 5 — each picked a replica of a protein, grain/carbohydrate, vegetable, fruit and sweet to put on their plates.

As the children described their choices to other families in the classroom, Renee Arensberg, wellness coach and community liaison for Join for Me, UnitedHealthcare’s national childhood obesity program, pointed out the correct portion size for each food.

“I was first called about one child taking the class, and then I asked about the older siblings because they also had gained weight,” Pershall said. “I thought it would give them a better understanding of what they should eat, and it reinforces what I’m trying to do with the kids.”

Join for Me, a community-based, childhood weight management and lifestyle intervention program, is designed for children and their families. The classes — one for ages 6 to 12, another for teens — are offered at no charge to Topeka area residents enrolled in the KanCare Medicaid program that have chosen UnitedHealthcare as their Medicaid benefits provider.

To participate, a child must have a body mass index at or above the 85th percentile.

The class at Garfield Community Center started Sept. 4 and will continue on Wednesday nights for a total of 16 sessions. A Spanish translator and transportation options are provided.

Arensberg, who previously worked at Children’s Mercy Family Health Partners, said four families are participating in the Join for Me class in Topeka.

“It’s the first year for Kansas to do this program, because KanCare just started in January,” she said, adding the program also has been implemented in Texas, Louisiana, Rhode Island, Florida, Georgia and Massachusetts. “All of them follow the same lesson plans.”

When the children arrive, they weigh in and then Arensberg reviews the previously week’s goals and the participants talk about their struggles and barriers to achieve the goals. The children also keep track of their food and beverage intake and activities.

Arensberg then presents a lesson and hands-on activity, and the family sets a new goal for the following week related to the lesson. At the end of the class, the youngsters are given an incentive. Because the lesson was on portion size, they received measuring cups and spoons.

Lesson topics include sugary drinks, the importance of breakfast, reading food labels, getting active, sleep habits, tips to eating out and during holidays and dealing with setbacks.

Arensberg said the children who complete the program will receive a $50 wellness VISA gift card. In addition, after the class ends, eight monthly support classes are offered to the families.

Additionally, the children can take part in one sports league or swim lesson session at the YMCA per year at no charge, receive a one-year membership to the Boys and Girls Club or participate in various 4-H programs.

Arensberg, who also teaches Join for Me classes in Olathe and Kansas City, Kan., said she hopes the program will help the children “down the road” to prevent type 2 diabetes, heart and cholesterol conditions, sleep apnea and other health problems.

She also believes the classes have a positive effect on parents.

“I’ve seen a small reduction in parents’ weight and a healthy change in their homes,” she said.

Pershall said she and her children have become more aware of what they eat. Recently, instead of eating as much as they wanted out of a bag of Cheetos, they counted out the recommended serving size instead.

“We talk about it more, how many calories are in the food and we’re looking at nutrition labels,” Pershall said. “I’m committed to come every Wednesday until it’s over.”

Arensberg said the next Join for Me class will start in mid-January and meet at 5:30 p.m. Wednesdays at Garfield Community Center. Those who are eligible and interested in signing up for the class can call (877) 554-3755. More information also is available at www.UHCCommunityPlan.com.