emPOWER at the Center for Integrative Health
This fall, we reached out to the Center for Integrative Health team to learn more about the pediatric weight management program, emPOWER. For the past two years, emPOWER has been funded by a grant from Children's Miracle Network, allowing the team to create the best experience possible for participants. Read more below:
Can you give us an overview of the program?
Led by a licensed physical therapist and registered dietitian, emPOWER is a unique, 6-week pediatric weight management program where participants learn, along with their peers, how to exercise and eat properly, get the appropriate amount of sleep and better manage their stress in order to improve their overall health. emPOWER aims to improve fitness levels in the areas of strength, endurance, flexibility, balance and coordination in a fun and uplifting environment.
How can others get involved?
We offer 3 to 4 sessions of emPOWER each year. Our next session will start October 10, 2023, through November 14, 2023, on Tuesdays from 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM at Center for Integrative Health (CIH). If someone is interested in volunteering, please click here to receive a call back. Volunteers are always welcome!
If you are interested in participating, please call our Pediatric Weight Management department to schedule an appointment with NP Shanda Sandridge. She’ll assess the pediatric patient for any medical limitations.
What was the inspiration for emPOWER? How did it start?
emPOWER, originally called “Ironkids,” was developed by physical therapist, Rachel Dear, in the summer of 2018 as a 5-day camp for children with developmental disabilities and related obesity. Each day campers explored a different fitness area and performed exercises to improve in that area. Fitness competitions were held at the end of each camp day and the program culminated with an “Olympic and Awards Day” which invited parents to participate with their children in fitness challenges and during which campers received an individual award based on their identified gifts.
Tell us a little about your partnership with CMN?
We were absolutely thrilled when Kathryne Lewis from Children’s Miracle Network reached out to us offering support for emPOWER. She had received our application requesting support from The Manning Fund Committee when they were not able to help us. The Manning Fund Committee felt emPOWER was the perfect fit for CMN, whose mission is “to save and improve the lives of as many children as possible”. CMN pledged $11,000 in support of emPOWER this past year helping us purchase some much-needed items including a bariatric scale, emPOWER t-shirts, lunch boxes, portion plates, pedometers and more! We are very grateful to them!
What are your favorite activities that happen at emPOWER?
For the participants: Each week we have a pedometer challenge in which the participant who has the most steps on their pedometer from the previous week gets to choose a prize out of the “prize bag.” Other weekly competitions include who has consumed the most 24 oz bottles of water and who has performed their dynamic stretching program the most. Winners in each category choose a prize. Olympic day with our parents and family members is probably the biggest highlight, though. Participants and family members team up and compete in challenges like shuttle run, limbo, coordination relays and emPOWER Jeopardy. The competition gets heated!
For the providers: the best part is that the kids are truly engaged and want to improve their health and fitness. It’s so fun to watch them come out of their shells as the weeks go by!
In addition to emPOWER, the Center for Integrative Health also offers Beginner's Children's Yoga, free to the public! More information can be found here.