Youth in Motion

Get out, Get Wild, Have fun!

Good health and fitness are essential to living a healthy life. This is especially true for children. Wellness Works, a program of University Health System, is dedicated to educating our youth about these issues to ensure that they see a brighter tomorrow. Our "Health Promotion/Disease Prevention" program gives children a head start on a healthy lifestyle.

Who can benefit…
This program is for children and adolescents who might benefit from increased cardiovascular fitness and reduced calorie intake to lose weight and get in shape. Everybody is different, so we take an individual approach, devising a program that focuses on each child’s individual fitness and nutritional needs.

What we do...
The program includes group sessions three times a week at the Texas Diabetes Institute that incorporate both classroom education on a series of nutrition topics, followed by a 30- to 45-minute activity session with a health educator. Our team will evaluate the progress of each child throughout the program. Exercise for your mind and body: it’s the best of both worlds!

Plus...
Special quarterly events include psychosocial interventions, support group session with a therapist, cooking class and shopping tour with a Registered Dietitian, as well as professional Medical Nutrition Therapy consultations including assessment and recommendations for both the child and family. A follow-up session will be performed at the end of the quarter.

Nutritional Education Program

Proper nutrition is a big part of getting in shape, and knowledge about nutrition is your greatest weapon against obesity. Our health educators and nutrition experts will teach you what to eat, why and how to find the right foods for you. The schedule of topics includes:

Week 1 – Healthy Eating Habits
Learn the food groups, serving sizes and the right portions for a Healthy Plate using the Food Guide Pyramid designed by Certified Diabetes Educators at the Texas Diabetes Institute.

Weeks 2 & 3 – Carbohydrates & Fibers
Learn to identify foods that contain carbohydrates and the benefits of a diet high in fiber.

Week 4 – Fats
Learn sources of healthy and unhealthy fats and how they affect cholesterol and weight.

Week 5 – Food Labels
Learn how to read food labels and get helpful shopping tips.

Week 6 – Proteins
Learn the sources and importance of dietary proteins.

Weeks 7 & 8 – Beverages & Snacks
Learn the benefits of increasing fl uid intake (like water and milk) and choosing healthier snacks.

Weeks 9 & 10 – Eating on the Go & Meal Planning
Learn about making better choices when eating out, planning for a healthy meal, recipe modification and healthier cooking habits.

Weeks 11 & 12 – Vitamins, Minerals & Water
Learn the sources and benefi ts of different vitamins and minerals.

Food Fun, and Friends. What could be better?

Physical Activities
Wellness Works “Health Promotion/Disease Prevention” Program has an array of activities and games to get kids moving. Starting light, the intensity of the activities increases as the kids progress. All activities, sessions and games will take place at the Texas Diabetes Institute or one of their collaborating partners. Activity options include:

4 times a year...
We offer shopping tours with a registered dietitian, who takes you through a typical grocery store, showing you how to read food labels and find the best food choices.

We offer cooking classes that emphasize increasing vegetables and decreasing carbohydrates and fats and new recipes that are quick, easy and healthy. A therapist and Certifi ed Diabetes Educator will provide psychosocial support to the children and families via fun group sessions and/or individual sessions (as needed).

We hope you can join us in our "Health Promotion/ Disease Prevention" Program. It's a great way to increase your fitness level, reach personal goals and make some great friends in the process.