FitFusion - Childhood Obesity Prevention

To address the childhood obesity epidemic, Kaiser Permanente's Sports Medicine Department partnered with Elk Grove Community Food Bank Services to create FitFusion, a program to fight and prevent childhood obesity. Cosumnes River College joined as a partner in 2008.

Now in its third year, FitFusion is an 18-week, four-day-a-week program that combines fitness training, nutrition, and behavioral changes to attain a healthy lifestyle for 10-12 overweight middle school students and their families, some of whom are financially disadvantaged, in South Sacramento and Elk Grove. Participates do not need to be members of Kaiser Permanente. Fitness training is primarily gained through a running program in addition to other activities such as hip-hop dancing, yoga, and martial arts. The nutritional aspect of this program is achieved through informational talks and interactive activities such as cooking demonstrations.

FitFusion is led by doctors, physical therapists, nutritionists, behavioral specialists and fitness trainers. Many community partnerships have been utilized to provide a well rounded program with exciting rewards such as free running shoes, gift certificates, and much more. Healthy snacks and transportation are provided to ensure success. The FitFusion participants "graduate" by completing a 5K run at the "Run 4 Independence" in July, a 5k-10k run/walk sponsored by Elk Grove Community Food Bank Services.