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Fighting the Battle of Childhood Obesity

by Heidi Press

When family challenges and overeating created health issues for 12-year-old Kylee Gallero of Waterford, her family decided it was time to take action. They signed up for Shapedown.

Phil (dad), 48, Lori (mom), 40, and Kylee joined the University of California-developed weight loss program through the Community Programs department of St. Joseph Mercy Oakland (SJMO) in Pontiac. Based on family involvement, Shapedown is aimed at ending childhood and adolescent obesity through a curriculum that emphasizes healthy eating, exercise and communication. By-products of the 10-week program include increased self-esteem, decreased depression, improved diet and exercise habits and weight management knowledge.

For the Galleros, enrollment in the program came in the nick of time. Phil had suffered failure of one kidney and a heart attack. Mom, Lori, who works midnights was “sleeping on everything I ate.” Daughter Kylee had developed high blood pressure and diabetes.

With Gallero’s illnesses already causing stress, the family also had experienced deaths of family members in recent months, including Lori’s father, with whom 12-year-old Kylee was particularly close. She was so broken up when he died, she started eating for comfort and “that’s when I started gaining weight.” “We were so stressed out with things that happened to us, we just started eating,” Lori explains. Thanks to Shapedown, the Galleros learned how to deal with death and other life challenges.

They learned about Shapedown at SJMO, when Phil was being treated for his heart attack. The hospital connected them with a nutritionist who directed them to Shapedown. The Galleros attend the program at the North Oakland YMCA in Auburn Hills.

Currently, five families are participating, but there’s room for eight in each session. The program costs $500 per family, and each member receives a workbook in which he/she can keep track of the foods intake, exercise and communications activities. And it is loaded with information.

The program doesn’t offer a diet, just a plan to make healthy choices when it comes to food. In one class, the Galleros learned how to make healthy sandwich wraps and season and prepare food. They also learned how to scale down proportions. Each used to eat a bowl of ice cream; now it’s just a cup.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 17 percent of children and adolescents ages 2-19 are overweight. In Michigan, 12 percent are overweight, and 15 percent are at risk for becoming overweight. This extra weight can lead to all kinds of health issues, the Michigan Department of Community Health reports, including cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes, some types of cancer as well as social and emotional difficulties.

Since enrolling in the program, the Galleros say their communications skills have increased. “If anything is bothering us, we now talk to each other, rather than holding it in,” Lori says. “The program made us more aware of each other,” she adds. “We’re supporting each other.”

They also learned how to relax with breathing exercises accompanied by mellow music.

In the exercise track, the program provides the children and teens with Theraballs, Therabands and water bottles. Other recommended exercises include walking, swimming, Rollerblading, bike riding and ball exercises.

Each of the Galleros has experienced some results from the program after only a couple of sessions. Phil says it has helped with his recovery. Lori finds that it boosts her self-confidence in addition to motivating the family to get moving. And, their daughter Kylee says that her “pants are getting bigger, which I’m happy about.” She also likes the fun element, and that “you’re not going through this alone.”

Phil says he likes the program because it gives him the tools to help him eat right and “ideas for exercise that won’t put stress or strain on you.”

SJMO’s program is directed by Julie Esparsa, coordinator for weight management programs. Classes are taught by licensed professionals, including an exercise physiologist; nutritionist; and social worker.

According to Esparsa, Shapedown was started in response to the increase in childhood obesity, especially in Pontiac, which is served by SJMO. The program is supported by donors and SJMO’s Community Benefit mission. Scholarships are available.

The Galleros like the supportive nature of the program. “We interact with other families,” Lori says. Since joining the program, the Galleros have met other families with whom they are planning to stay in touch.

For Phil, Lori and Kylee, Shapedown was a great find. “This program is the best way to go,” says Gallero. “It works. If you follow the program and do the exercises, you actually lose the weight.”

Heidi Press is the public relations specialist for Trinity Health’s St. Joseph Mercy Oakland in Pontiac, MI. She holds a Bachelors of Arts degree from Wayne State University in English and Journalism.  She has an extensive background in the communications field.