New approach to treating childhood obesity debuts in Roxbury

May 23, 2006

United Way media contact

Brigid Boyd
Director of Communications
617 624-8252
bboyd@uwmb.org

First-of-its-kind “kids gym” celebrates opening on May 24 with Mayor Menino

BOSTON – Pediatricians are accustomed to prescribing treatments for childhood illnesses. But monitoring and treating childhood obesity, which has risen 300 percent in the past three decades, is more challenging for physicians. A new partnership between Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts , Children’s Hospital Boston , United Way of Massachusetts Bay , and local fitness expert Brandy Cruthird of “Body By Brandy” seeks to offer an innovative new way to tackle childhood obesity.

On Wednesday, May 24 , Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino was on hand to celebrate the opening of Body By Brandy 4 Kidz , a first-of-its kind nonprofit gym specifically for kids. The gym is designed to make fitness fun and features a rock climbing wall, a boxing program, game bikes, dance revolution pads, cardiovascular equipment, sport wall and a health and science computer lab. The ribbon cutting ceremony was held at Body By Brandy 4 Kidz at 2181 Washington Street in Roxbury .

“I’m proud that this innovative approach to childhood obesity is being pioneered in our great city,” says Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino. “The best way to encourage fitness is to get young people excited and motivated to get active and to make it accessible for them to participate.”

The gym is the first facility where health care providers can formally refer young people who are diagnosed as being overweight and then receive reports that track the child’s progress toward their fitness goals. On Monday through Saturday from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., Body By Brandy 4 Kidz will be open free of charge to young people who are referred from Children’s Hospital’s weight management programs as well as from 7 community health centers that participate in Children’s Hospital’s “Fitness in the City” collaboration.

“The ability of our providers to refer young patients to this unique fitness environment allows us to pilot a new approach to address childhood obesity,” said Shari Nethersole, M.D., Medical Director for Community Health at Children’s Hospital Boston. “We hope this approach will become a successful model that other communities can duplicate to improve physical fitness and health of children.”

Body By Brandy 4 Kidz is the brainchild of Brandy Cruthird, a physical education teacher for Boston Public Schools and owner and operator of the successful Fitness Center and Day Spa located in the heart of Roxbury.

“I’ve witnessed the impact that high blood pressure, hypertension and diabetes have in our community,” Brandy says. “This kind of facility is long overdue and can only make families stronger, build self-esteem and enhance awareness around living healthy lifestyles.”

Body By Brandy 4 Kidz is funded by grants totaling $170,000 from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Children’s Hospital Boston and United Way of Massachusetts Bay . United Way tapped the expertise of Good Sports, Inc. to secure the donation of the fitness equipment for 4 Kidz.

“This partnership is consistent with our vision of making the Greater Boston metropolitan region the best place in the country for children,” said Milton J. Little, Jr., president and chief executive officer at United Way of Massachusetts Bay. “To achieve that vision we must focus on the critical health issues facing children today. Our investment in this entrepreneurial model will provide a way for more kids to participate in fitness programs that will promote a healthy weight.”

“Reducing the rates of childhood obesity and health-related illnesses requires a collective commitment by families, community leaders and health professionals,” said Sylvia Stevens-Edouard, the Senior Director of Community Relations at BCBSMA. “Body By Brandy 4 Kidz is an example of the kind of collaboration that is so desperately needed to reverse this epidemic among our youth.”