Baystate Health - MIGHTY (Moving, Improving, and Gaining Health Together at the YMCA)

Overview

Children who are overweight are at risk for many other health problems, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, asthma, bone and joint problems, and gallbladder disease. Baystate Children’s Hospital is committed to reducing the prevalence of childhood obesity and assisting families fighting weight problems. The Baystate Children’s Hospital MIGHTY (Moving, Improving, and Gaining Health Together at the YMCA) program is a six-month multi-disciplinary program serving children ages 5 to 21 with a diagnosis of obesity. The program was established in 2004 to provide treatment to children with obesity in the Pioneer Valley.

MIGHTY offers children and their families resources aimed at promoting healthy nutrition, healthy activity, and a healthy lifestyle. Participants in MIGHTY experience an intensive group program with a strong emphasis on physical activity, nutrition, and behavioral change for the entire family. It includes a fitness evaluation, individual fitness prescriptions, group exercise sessions, individual and group nutritional counseling, and strategies for lifelong behavior change. Families who participate in MIGHTY also receive a free six-month membership at the Springfield YMCA. The program is free of charge to the patients and their families.

Impact

More than 1,000 children have been involved in the MIGHTY program since its inception. The program serves approximately 200 families per year. More than half of program graduates lower or maintain their BMI while they are in the program. They also increase their physical activity level as measured by physical activity scores.

Lessons Learned

MIGHTY graduates attended a series of focus groups this year to assess participants’ wants and make improvements to the program. Common themes among the six groups included a request for more contact time with others and more social events. Participants felt that the MIGHTY lessons helped them make lifestyle changes and prepared them for making dietary changes. They also felt supported in their weight loss and were more active when involved in the program.

Future Goals

Future goals include expansion to other regional YMCAs, providing increased behavioral health support, increasing community partnerships for participants to allow them access to healthier foods, and more exercise options.

Contact: Chrystal Wittcopp, M.D.
Medical Director
Telephone: 413-794-7455
Email: chrystal.wittcopp@baystatehealth.org