The Live Light…Live Right program is an outgrowth of the Pediatric Obesity Clinic started over two years ago at the Brookdale University Hospital and Medical Center (BUHMC) that was born from an established need in the Brownsville-East New York section of Brooklyn. In a study conducted by Dr. Sarita Dhuper, Director of Pediatric Cardiology and the Director of the Pediatric Obesity Program at the BUHMC, it was found that in this area of Brooklyn which is designated a Health Crisis Zone, the incidence of morbid obesity was 2-3 times the incidence nationwide with a coexistent higher adult mortality rate from heart disease and diabetes than the rest of Brooklyn and New York City.

The obesity program provides medical treatment to obese children and youth in a multidisciplinary clinic with the service of specialists in Pediatric Cardiology, community pediatrics, Endocrinology, Adolescent Medicine, nutritionists, community care coordinators and case managers.

Partners and Collaboration:

1. Caribbean Women’s Health Association:

Operates five Community Service centers and provides a range of social support programs to improve the health of individuals and families and empower communities. In addition, the two organizations are partnered in the identification and management of pregnant women at risk and in delivering a comprehensive sickle cell program.

2. Brookdale Family Care Centers: Family Care Centers, (BFCC’S)

These are a network of outpatient facilities affiliated with our hospital. These clinics serve as a source of referrals for the Obesity Program. Over 1,200 patients a week are seen in these clinics. All children seen in these clinics have their body mass index plotted and identified if overweight or obese. They are then referred to our program. Last year alone over 2000 patients were screened and 500 referred to us. Other collaborative efforts include education of these community pediatricians to identify, treat and refer patients with obesity. These physicians and pediatric residents rotate in the obesity clinic where they get hands on experience in the evaluation and management of obesity. They also sit in on the nutritional sessions and learn the dietary recommendations we are using. Moreover we have at least 4 training workshops on obesity throughout the year in which handouts are provided & pre and post test questionnaires are given out to assess change in knowledge. Our target is to train about 100 physicians per year.

3. New York City Parks and Recreation

Provides us space to arrange for supervised programs of in physical activity through the ‘Train the Trainer’ program in which a senior trainer trains younger fit persons from the community to supervise the physical activity programs.

4. New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA)

NYCHA serves as sites for organized and supervised after-school physical activity through the ‘Train the Trainer’ program.

5. New York City Board of Education ( Region 5 & 6)

We are currently working with 2 school Districts. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been signed between the Board of Education and our program. We have identified 10 schools in our catchment area. Screening for obesity has been initiated in 3 schools so far. Free wellness and nutritional seminars and access to our clinic and exercise programs are being offered to all students and families screened and identified as overweight. The school physical education teachers are ready to provide after school physical activity for these students and will be reimbursed by the Live Light….Live Right program. These are being established.

6. Flatbush YMCA

This is one of our major sites for exercise. They have adopted our train the trainer program and sessions are held by a certified trainer 3 days a week for children referred through our program. Moreover they get a 50% discount on the membership fee through the Live light .. Live Right program. We participate in screening sessions, nutritional sessions, family day activities at the Flatbush YMCA.

7. Healthy Start

Partcipate to arrange workshops and training sessions for the staff and enroll high risk children in our program.

8. WIC

Tabulate the prevalence of obesity in the children seen at the WIC centers in our neighborhood and arrange wellness seminars for these parents.

9. Brooklyn Public Library

Have started programs like : "Nutrition & You", "Fitness for all", and 'Ask the Doctor' series. Open to the general public