What is OPT?
OPT (Overweight Prevention and Treatment) for Fit Kids is a comprehensive lifestyle change program designed specifically for children and their families.
OPT guides families in making changes in nutrition, activity, lifestyle, and attitudes that promote fitness and the achievement and maintenance of a healthy weight.
This specialized program has three components: nutrition education services for overweight children and their families, an educational awareness campaign for the public, and nutrition education in schools.
The targeted awareness campaign will address lifestyle practices for the treatment and prevention of pediatric
overweight in Butte County.
Why OPT?
Childhood overweight is an epidemic. Overweight is the most common health problem facing children in the US today. The rate of overweight has doubled in the past 15 years. At the same time, fitness is declining. Less than one-third of children ages
6-17 meet minimum fitness standards.
Children who are overweight have a very high probability of becoming overweight adults. In addition, one out of every four overweight children has impaired glucose tolerance, a risk factor for Type 2 diabetes. Overweight children are also at a much greater
risk for high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, low self-esteem and poor body image.
OPT Mission
OPT is a program designed to reduce the incidence of pediatric overweight.
The focus of the OPT for Fit Kids program is not weight loss alone and it is not to be done alone. Optimizing family lifestyle behaviors will optimize health.
Childhood overweight is often associated with a myriad of risk factors. The only thing children should be at risk for is enjoying life.
OPT Staff
Meet the OPT For Fit Kids staff.
