Running Towards A Healthier Lennox Introduction Who we are Lyndon - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Running Towards A Healthier Lennox

Introduction

Who we are  Lyndon Gonzalez  Currently a third year medical student at CDU/UCLA Medical Education Program  Reason for choosing this program:  CDU’s close ties to the Lennox Unified School District  Close relationships to the pediatric population in this district, as I previously worked at a pediatrician’s office close to Lennox Unified.  Intense belief that exercise along with good mentoring is capable of changing the lives of these young students, who will otherwise meet great odds to succeed.  This project is currently being completed with the help of Kika Hernandez, MS 3

Introduction  Rates and severity of pediatric obesity have continued to increase over the past 3-4 decades.  There are many long term outcomes of childhood obesity:  Inc risk for developing metabolic syndrome, CV dz, type 2 DM + assoc retinal/renal complications, nonalcoholic fatty liver dz, OSA, PCOS, infertility, asthma, psychiatric disease.  Inc risk of being obese as an adult  adult obesity related complications.  These in turn increase likelihood of early morbidity and mortality. (Kelsey et. al., 2014)

Why Lennox?  As of last census:  Pediatric obesity (pre-school) rates >20%  Median income: $33,908  55% of adults >25 reported dropping out of high school.  5% obtained bachelors degree.  Ongoing bi-annual Lennox Health Fair with help from CDU/UCLA.

Sites and Populations  Lennox Unified School District  In conjunction with after school program/T.H.E Health and Wellness Centers a 5/10k/ ½ marathon training/mentoring program curriculum developed.  Program will pair undergraduates from CDU, UCLA with one student. Meetings to take place every other week beginning 9/2014.  Target population:  Middle school students.  LMSA

Methodology  1. Recruitment:  Mentors  18 undergraduates involved.  Principal and school board have thus far approved the program.  About 100 students anticipated as principal is anticipating providing extra credit for students participating.  Nutrition  nutritionist recruited to developed nutrition curriculum for parents of participating middle school students.  Consult/initiate non profit status to help with fundraising.  Training:  Beginning 9/14  3/15.  Pending IRB approval, prospective cross-over trial measuring exercise tolerance (measures tbd)

Findings  TBD  Run to be held in March or April 2015.

Conclusions/Recommendations  1. Effectiveness of intervention to be determined post prospective trial.  However numerous previous studies support the effectiveness of this type of intervention.  Sustainability: the CDU/UCLA chapter of LMSA has agreed to add a board chair to undertake this program next year.  A fellow 2 nd year medical student has agreed to take on the project next year, and anticipates applying to various fellowship programs.  We are in talks with various non profit foundations to fund this project pending research findings.

Acknowledgements  National Medical Fellowships  Albert Schweitzer Fellowship  Maria Tobar, MS3  Dr. Wendy Slusser  Dr. Stanley Hsia  Katie Cohen/Miguel Topete  CDU/UCLA Medical Education Program