Prescription for Obesity
Pediatric healthcare providers in San Diego County have a new tool in their fight against childhood obesity: a comprehensive, countywide database of programs and services that address the various aspects of obesity, including diabetes, nutrition, physical activity, and healthy weight. The database, housed at 211 San Diego, allows free access to information about everything from clinical programs and interventions, diabetes and nutrition education, and neighborhood parks, to recreation programs and services.
211has become known as San Diego’s primary source for free community and disaster information. It gained visibility in the 2007 firestorms and now plays a much wider role as a community information hub. Accessible either by dialing 2-1-1 or at www.211sandiego.org, the organization provides free, confidential, multilingual, 24-hour access to community, health, and disaster services and resources.
“We heard healthcare providers’ frustration with a lack of centralized resources,” said Cheryl Moder, director of the San Diego County Childhood Obesity Initiative. “So one of our major initiatives has been to develop this database and make it userfriendly and available to both professionals and the public.”
Addressing the child obesity epidemic in our community requires a comprehensive and collaborative approach with a focus on environmental changes to support healthy lifestyle choices. The initiative joined with the Center for Healthier Communities at Rady Children’s Hospital; San Diego Diabetes Coalition; Champions for Change/Network for Healthy California; and 211 San Diego to get started. Enhancing the 211 database involved widespread networking to determine who is offering relevant programs; distribution of surveys; data collection and compilation; hiring and training call resource specialists; and actually constructing the website that is dedicated to this project.
To access the diabetes and obesity prevention program database via the Internet, go to www.211sandiego.org and click on the green apple icon. It is searchable by ZIP code, program type, language, and area. For example, families can be referred to locate a local swimming pool or recreational park, a diabetes educator or a breastfeeding course, within a few miles from their home. Each program has an “agency overview” page that highlights the location of the program (along with a map link), contact information, services offered, and how to access the services.
Although all relevant programs are included, low- and no-cost programs related to the categories of nutrition, physical activity, diabetes education, and healthy weight are highlighted. Targeted populations will include children, people with diabetes, and higher-risk populations and regions of San Diego County. New programs will be added regularly.
Prescription pads have been developed to assist healthcare providers in linking the families they serve with the programs they need.
“For many patients, something the doctor or nurse gives them in writing, especially on a prescription form, takes on greater importance than something the clinician says,” commented Danette Flores, MPH, project coordinator. “Giving them a written prescription for the type of activity or program they need ensures a higher degree of compliance.”
Rx pads were mailed to offices earlier this year, accompanied by an explanatory letter and a complimentary BMI wheel to further physicians’ efforts.
If you have questions, need more information or an Rx pad refill, or know of programs that should be added to the database, contact Danette Flores, project coordinator with Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego, at (858) 576-1700, ext. 3783, or at dmflores@rchsd.org.
This project was made possible by a grant from the Vitamin Cases Consumer Settlement Fund.