Psychology professors Lesley Lutes, left, and Suzanne Daiss are ready to help families make healthy lifestyle changes with Project CHILD (Creating Healthy Ideas for a Lifelong Difference).

Families sought for study
to increase healthy lifestyles

Researchers at Northern Arizona University are looking for ways to reverse the trend of obesity in children.

The Psychology Department is seeking children ages 9-13 and at least one parent or legal guardian, to participate in a study involving 60 children and families "interested in making healthy lifestyle changes, having fun and wanting to feel better physically and emotionally," said Lesley Lutes, an assistant professor in psychology and project supervisor.

Lutes said the need for Project CHILD (Creating Healthy Ideas for a Lifelong Difference) sprouted from the growing statistics of overweight kids. More than 37 percent of children in the United States ages 6-11 years are either overweight or obese.

"This number had doubled in the last decade," Lutes said. "In Arizona, more than 25 percent of children and adolescents are currently overweight, with rates increasing yearly."

The 12-week interactive sessions, led by trained graduate students under the supervision of Lutes and Suzanne Daiss, an associate professor in psychology, include team-building games, a ropes course and food demonstrations and will focus on increasing self-esteem, improving body image, dealing with teasing, making physical activity fun, encouraging healthier food choices and promoting family unity.

The 90-minute sessions begin either with a physical activity or a healthy snack and a review of the previous weeks' goals, Lutes explained.

Parents and children break into separate groups for their session then regroup to set the next week's targets. Participants of the program will work partially through the internet and/or face-to-face sessions.

"The philosophy is not 'let's get you to lose weight in 12 weeks,'" Lutes said. "What we are trying to teach them is eating habits and activity habits that they do for a lifetime."

Childhood obesity is linked with type II diabetes, insulin resistance and abnormal glucose tolerance, the development of cardiovascular risk factors and an increased risk of becoming obese as an adult, resulting in an overall decrease in life expectancy.

Project CHILD begins in early September. Space is limited. To participate, go to http://projectchild.nau.edu/ or call (928) 523-7844.