Creating healthier communities,
one “Fit Kid” at a time.
FitKids360
An organization focused on family wellness, food justice, and community connections.
FitKids360 aims to strengthen family bonds while promoting mindfulness, supportive choices, and fun.
Mantra
WE ARE #TEAMFITKIDS360
TOGETHER we Cultivate Change, Inspire Action & Create Inclusive Cultures and Communities
We LIVE by Example & Set the Standard of Excellence in Quality Programming, Finding Solutions to Challenges and Barriers, Building Bridges for Collaboration and Growth & Operating in the “Gap” Space to Influence an Impact on Systemic Outcomes
Our families are our Neighbors and we work in PARTNERSHIP WITH EACH OTHER to Build Community as ONE TEAM
Mission
To combat childhood obesity by empowering families and children to take ownership of their health by providing hands-on training, community resources, and supportive relationships in a judgement free space.
Values
At FitKids360 we believe where you live should not determine your health outcomes. Everyone has the right to access essential resources to develop healthy bodies and healthy minds.
- We promote lifelong healthy behaviors and habits through play and learning.
- We walk alongside families to form healthy habits.
- We partner with local organizations to provide high quality programming.
4 Pillars to Guide Us
- Health & Wellness Education: The “What”
- Functional Movement – Mind Body Empowerment – Well Being: The “How”
- Strengthen family & Social relationships: The “Impact”
- Increase vitality & quality of life (QoL): The “Outcome”
Created by Dr. Tom Peterson, along with Healthier Communities, First Steps, Forest Hills Pediatrics, Priority Health, and Reagan Marketing + Design, FitKids360 is a childhood obesity intervention program that fills an important need in the community. Initiated with a pilot program in 2010 at Forest Hills Pediatric Clinic, FitKids360 has benefited hundreds of children and their families, and continues to grow rapidly.
The FitKids360 classes have expanded since its initial pilot to increase the number of class offerings, locations, and populations served. FitKids360 has adapted materials to use with adolescents and Spanish-speaking populations. FitTeens360 and FitKids360 en Español are available at some of the FitKids360 locations.
Participation Requirements
- Children ages 5 to 17 are eligible
- BMI at or above the 85th percentile
- Parent or guardian must accompany child to each class, including orientation
- All self-referrals must go through a physician or healthcare provider
- Siblings may attend without a referral
What else should I know about FitKids360?
- It’s free and fun
- Created and led by local health experts
- Run at various sites throughout the greater Grand Rapids area and nationwide
- A collaborative community effort
- Offers families expert help from local professionals
- Orientation and 6-week program
- Meets once a week for 2 hours
- Based on Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital Healthy Counts 8-0
- Family-based programming
- Goal setting with guidance of trained, community volunteers and Michigan State University medical students
- Classes taught by registered dietitians, social workers, and exercise physiologists
- 30+ minutes of exercise built into each class, including games, Zumba, yoga, and more
FitKids360 provides:
- Free transportation resources if needed
- Weekly incentives
- Prizes at the end of the program
- Healthy snacks
- Weekly phone calls
- Continuous opportunities after the program ends
Get Involved
Individuals interested in hosting FitKids360 in their community or the program overall, should contact the FitKids360 Program Manager at 616-421-9024 or email fitkids360@healthnetwm.org.
To learn about referrals, volunteer opportunities, and classes in your area, contact the nearest site coordinator listed below. (Individuals in Grand Rapids should contact the FitKids360 program coordinator). To contact site coordinators, click on the organization name to go to their website or click on the site coordinator’s name to send an email.
Follow us
FitKids360 Sites
FitKids360’s central site is located in Grand Rapids, Michigan at Health Net of West Michigan. Since the pilot program in 2010, FitKids360 has expanded to include 10 host sites across the United States. Each host site works with the central site at Health Net to run the program at their location.
Location |
Organization |
Site Coordinator |
Phone Number |
| Indiana | South Bend, Salvation Army KROC Center | Sarah VanSickle | (574) 233-9471 ext. 2305 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Wayne, Parkview Health | Kylee Bennett | (260) 266-2465 | |
| West Michigan | FitKids360 | Angelica Pointer | (616) 421-9024 |
| Salvation Army KROC Center | (616) 588-7200 | ||
| Mid Michigan | Lansing | Stephanie Klein | (517) 317-4712 |
| Northern Michigan | Traverse City | Susi Worden Alyson Kass |
(231) 935-9259 |
| East Michigan | Kids Health Connections (KHC) | Krista Siddall Quinn Peterson |
(313) 863-2427 ext. 211 (313) 659-3927 |
| Butte, Montana | St. James Health System | Miranda O’Brien | (406) 723-2428 |
Referral Process
The referral process is simple:
- Physician identifies a patient who is appropriate for the FitKids360 program.
- Physician, nurse, or staff talks with the family and explains the program.
- Physician, nurse, or staff completes the referral form.
- Completed referral form is faxed to the FitKids360 program coordinator.
- FitKids360 program coordinator assigns referred children to upcoming classes.
FitKids360 Outcomes
FitKids360 is an outcomes-based program that encourages healthy-behavior changes for children and their families. Below are examples of the positive impact the program has made in the lives of our participants.
100%
of families said they learned important information.
76%
of participants maintained healthy habits post-program.
68%
of participants decreased TV viewing time.
60%
of participants increased their moderate-to-vigorous physical activity.
55%
of participants increased their fruit and vegetable intake.
72%
overall retention rate among participants.
45%
of participants decreased their junk-food intake.
48%
of participants showed no change or decreased their BMI trajectory.
44%
of participants, who watched more than 2 hours of TV a day, watched less than 2 hours at completion of the program.
100%
of families would recommend FitKids360 to other families.
For more in-depth information, check out FitKids360’s publications and abstracts:
FitKids360: Design, Conduct, and Outcomes of a Stage 2 Pediatric Obesity Program—Journal of Obesity 2014.
What happens after the program has concluded?
FitKids360 provides follow-up and continuous opportunities for engagement, including:
- Report cards, showing the changes that were achieved in the program, are sent to parents and the PCP.
- PCP follows up with the participant.
- Upon completing the FitKids360 program, families can take part in On the Move.
FitKids360 Partners
FitKids360 is grateful for the generous support of the following individuals and organizations throughout our community:
- Claystone Clinical Associates
- Cornerstone Clinical Associates
- Forest Hills Pediatrics
- Gazelle Sports
- Grand Rapids African American Health Institute
- Grand Rapids Community College
- Grand Rapids Public Schools
- Grand Valley State University
- Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital Adolescent Clinic
- Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital Pediatric Clinic
- Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital Healthy Weight Center
- Kent County Health Department
- Kent County Medical Society Alliance
- Kent Medical Foundation
- Michigan Health Endowment Fund
- Michigan State University College of Human Medicine
- Michigan State University Kinesiology
- New Balance
- Priority Health
- Reagan Marketing + Design, LLC
- Spectrum Health Healthier Communities
- The Downtown Market
- UnitedHealthcare
- We Are For Children
A special thanks to our host locations:
- Priority Health
- The Salvation Army Kroc Center