Disney Children’s Hospital is involved in numerous programs with the goal of improving the health and wellness of children in our community. Not only does Disney Children’s Hospital strive to help sick children become well, but another priority for Disney Children’s Hospital is to help children and families prevent illness and help keep them well.

Disney Children’s Hospital recently completed the SuperFit Family Challenge with the East Area Learning Community of the public school system. Students, parents, teachers and school staff were invited to participate in an 8-week health challenge, which engaged all individuals to adopt new healthy habits together with their family, school and community. Every week, families had a new set of health goals to accomplish by working together. Families received ongoing support through weekly newsletters focusing on nutrition, activity and other health-related topics. Children received daily health messages to start their day at school.

Disney Children’s Hospital has recognized childhood obesity as a major concern for children’s health and wellness. Committed to helping children stay healthy and well, Disney Children’s Hospital has developed and implemented several programs designed to bring solutions to address childhood obesity.

Disney Children’s Hospital recently completed The “HIP” program at Nap Ford Community School along with Hebni Nutrition Consultants. Approximately 20 children and their parents took part in a 12 session program designed to work with children who were either overweight or “at risk” for overweight. Children and their parents learned about nutrition including topics such as fast food restaurants, portion sizes, healthy drinks and many others. Children also learned about physical activity and joined their parents in fun activities designed to increase activity levels.

Funded by a grant from the Orlando Magic Youth Foundation, Disney Children’s Hospital completed a 15-week program for children and their parents dealing with childhood obesity. The “HIP” program was taught in 15 sessions and brought together children and their parents to learn about healthy behaviors.