Funded Projects

Moving is Medicine

Project Year

2023

City & State

Dallas, Texas

Program Name

CATCH Resident

Topic

Overweight & Obesity (LHI)

Program Description

Problem: Childhood obesity is a public health crisis that is continuing to worsen. In the US, approximately 1 in 3 children is overweight and more than 1 in 5 is obese (1– 5.) Childhood obesity is predictive of comorbidities as well as future obesity. (2, 5-12.) Additionally, Texas has the 8th highest obesity rate in the US for youth ages 10-17. Hispanic /Latino and non-Hispanic black youth have higher rates of obesity, at 21% and 24% respectively, compared to non-Hispanic white youth at 14% (13.) This discrepancy is even higher in Texas where Hispanic youth are almost twice as likely to be obese as their non-Hispanic white counterparts (14-15.) Additionally, those with lower socioeconomic status have increased prevalence of obesity (16-19.) Pediatricians see this play out daily. One of the parents of a patient struggling with obesity shared with me that they lived in a neighborhood where it was unsafe for them to exercise outdoors. Lack of access to safe exercise is one example of the obstacles that underserved families face to achieve a healthy lifestyle. Primary Setting: The primary setting of my project will be the Eloise Lundy Recreation Center in downtown Dallas, TX. Three surrounding schools (Trinity Basin Preparatory Ewing campus, Jefferson campus, and N.W. Harllee Early Childhood Education Center) stop at the recreation on their bus route and many of their students participate in the recreation center’s after school program. The recreation center and the three nearby schools are all located in 75203, our target zip code. Number of children affected: Fifteen children are currently enrolled in the after-school program. However, this project would extend to children who are not enrolled in the program as well. Through promotion through the recreation center and the three nearby schools, we would aim to serve 40 – 50 children per week during the grant period and expand to other sites in the future. Project goal: The goal is to provide a weekly dance class to the financially underserved and minority populations which are higher risk for obesity. They are also less likely to have the financial means to pay for dance lessons, a luxury that very few families going through financial hardship can afford. We will provide a safe space for children to get regular exercise and improve their physical health. Additionally, we will improve students’ self-discipline, confidence, and foster relationships with other students and teachers. Proposed intervention: Partner with the Dance Council of North Texas, the Eloise Lundy Recreation Center, and the UT Southwestern Pediatric Residency to have a weekly dance class at the Eloise Lundy Recreation beginning in 2023. The dance council will assist with finding an instructor for the class. Medical residents and students will volunteer weekly to help teach the class. Additionally, it will be incorporated into the community pediatrics rotation for first-year residents which will help increase participation. The children will have weekly dance classes for a total of 26 weeks (12 weeks in 2023 and 14 weeks in 2024.) The classes will culminate with 2 performances during the year. At both performances, we will provide the families with a list of clinics in the community that accept Medicaid/CHIP. We will also administer a survey to parents to assess what additional programming they would like to see (nutrition or health classes, science camps, different genres of dance etc.) The goal is to develop a sustainable program and also expand programming based on the community's needs and interests. Anticipated outcomes: Increased weekly physical activity class participants resulting in overall improved overall physical health. Additionally, the students will have learned new skills and increased confidence and self-discipline.

Project Goal

Project goal: Provide an opportunity for safe and regularly scheduled exercise (free and high-quality dance classes) for low-income and minority children in the Dallas community. Additionally, to create opportunities for UT Southwestern residents and dance council instructors to serve as informal mentors and role models for at-risk children attending our program.

Project Objective 1

Implement a regularly scheduled dance classes at the Eloise Lundy Recreation Center for a total of 26 classes.

Project Objective 2

Have at least 30 students enrolled in the class by December 2023.

Project Objective 3

Of the children enrolled in the class, 70% of them will complete the full year of the program.

AAP District

District VII

Institutional Name

UT Southwestern/Children's Health (class will take place at Eloise Lundy Recreation Center)

Contact 1

Meredith Montgomery