Let’s Get Movin’

We developed Let’s Get Movin’ to address childhood obesity in our communities. This lifestyle-change program for children and teens promotes physical activity, teaches proper nutrition, and helps young people make healthier lifestyle choices. Our program is built on three main components:

Medical monitoring

• The Let’s Get Movin’ program is fully integrated with the medical services provided at the East Boston Neighborhood Health Center. Participation in the Let’s Get Movin’ program is based on a diagnosis of overweight or obesity by a child’s physician, who monitors progress and overall health on an ongoing basis. Our program brings the expertise of our own medical professionals and the lessons learned from existing disease management programs to the challenge of obesity.

Physical activity

• Physical activity is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle. At the Let’s Get Movin’ program, we help kids incorporate physical activity into their lives as a fun, ongoing part of healthy living. Our afterschool programs at neighborhood schools and community locations offer fun and structured physical activities for children ages 8-14. In our afterschool programs, kids participate structured physical activities like soccer, basketball, dodge ball, ultimate Frisbee, swimming, rock climbing, dance, and kick-boxing.

Nutrition education

• The nutrition education component of the Let’s Get Movin’ program teaches children and their parents about making good food choices for the development of a healthy lifestyle. We’re also working hard to address the complex issue of food access to ensure that our neighbors can get the healthy, fresh food that we all need in order to thrive.