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Program Targeting Child Obesity Expands In Chicago Area

CHICAGO (CBS) -- A program is expanding in the Chicago-area, in hopes of keeping kids from expanding. WBBM's Regine Schlesinger explains.

Program Targeting Child Obesity Expands In Chicago Area

Advocate Children's Hospital in Oak Lawn is the fifth and latest Chicago-area hospital to sign on to the program from the ProActive Kids Foundation.

PAK's Executive Director Nicki Klinkhamer says it is an eight week program designed for overweight and obese children from ages 8-14. The program focuses on three areas: Nutrition, lifestyle and fitness.

"The fitness component specifically gives them a place to do fitness. We do a 45-minute fitness routine three days a week so they can be in a safe environment with other kids who are struggling. That way there is no 'hot shot' who is able to circle them on the mile," said Klinkhamer.

Klinkhamer says her intervention program involves the entire family. For at least one day each week, parents and siblings work out with the child and there are several counseling sessions for the parents only throughout the eight weeks.

You can find out more through proactivekids.org.

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