ACHIEVEMENTS

  There are three major areas where significant results have been achieved:

	Awarded: We were awarded the 2005 Health Care innovation award - A Better Way by the Healthcare Trustees of New York state (HTNYS). The details of this award can be viewed at http://www.htnys.org/. HEALTH CARE INNOVATIONS left to right Carlos Naudon, Chair HTNYS Dr. Sarita Dhuper, Director, Pediatric Cardiology and Pediatric Obesity, Brookdale University Medical Center Joanne Cunningham, Executive Director, HTNYS John Lane, Chair, HTNYS Awards Comittee
	Elaboration of community needs: In addition to defining the extent of the problem, we have further identified some of the reasons for the incidence of obesity in our population and this has focused us on areas of intervention.
	Patient identification and treatment: To date, well over 500 children have been evaluated and over 150 are being followed on a regular basis. We have found that 47% of our targeted children are hypertensive; 73% are dyslipidemic and 52% are hyperinsulinemic. These previously unidentified children are now under therapy for these metabolic disorders. Moreover nearly 50% of our severely obese patients have ‘The Metabolic Syndrome’ (>3 risk factors) which is known to be a precursor of coronary artery disease and type II diabetes. Also we have found the prevalence of these metabolic disorders to be higher in the Hispanic vs. the African American population. We are providing culturally sensitive care to these families as we learn more about their lifestyles. Lifestyle modification is our primary goal. Our incidence of new onset type II diabetes is less than 1 percent given that they are screened early and initiate lifestyle changes. Follow up data is being collected every 6 months on to assess change in body mass index, metabolic risk factors and attitude towards change in lifestyle. The data so far shows maintenance or decrease in the BMI for age in about 70% of patients regularly attending the program with significant improvement in dietary choices and enrollment in exercise programs. Over 50% of these children have shown improvement in their blood pressure and lipid profiles. Currently over 150 children are enrolled in our free or subsidized exercise program and the numbers are growing every week. They are given incentives in the form of pedometers, metro cards, free YMCA admissions, and certificates of achievement at the end of the year.
	Community acceptance: Excellent community acceptance has been demonstrated by many factors. Dr. Dhuper and staff have been invited several times to give workshops in Schools, region 5 & 6. Pre and post test questionnaires show a significant improvement in level of awareness regarding food choices and implementation of lifestyle changes for the attendees. Screening for obesity has been started in 3 schools. Community pediatricians are referring patients regularly to the BUHMC obesity program as a result of community education. Most importantly, there has been a steady increase in patient self-referral, showing a community awareness of the problem and the knowledge of where to find help. We have done over 50 workshops/ seminars and participated in a number of health fairs and community initiatives.