Because Nothing Should Weigh a Child Down

Success Stories

Obesity’s ‘Disease’ Label May Demotivate Weight Loss, Make People Comfortable With Overweight Status

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A recent article in Medical Daily addresses the issues related to classifying obesity as a “disease” rather than a condition. This has sparked a great deal of controversy. It has allowed some people to feel more comfortable and even “feel healthier,” as shown in a new joint study from the University of Minnesota and the University of Richmond. The researchers went on to state that the people actually saw themselves as healthier because they now were given a diagnosis. Changing the nature of the condition changed how people believed they were affected by it. The apologists however “feel that disease is not always in someone’s control.”

More research is required to gain a greater understanding of how the “obesity is a disease” message influences beliefs about the controllability of weight, and the role of this message in reducing stigma against the obese.”

Source: Hoyt C, Burnette J, Auster-Gussman L. “Obesity Is a Disease” Examining the Self-Regulatory Impact of This Public-Health Message. Psychological Science. 2014 

Our Participant of the Month, Tanisha

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Tanesha photo

Tanisha is 15 years old and has been in our program since 2012. When she began her journey she weighed 189.5 lbs, her height was 5 feet 1 inches tall and her BMI was 34.4. Her doctor, Dr. Coulanges, referred her to our program because she wanted to change her lifestyle. Tanisha was motivated to lose weight and improve her eating habits to improve her health. Another big motivator: she was going to be starting high school that year.

She eliminated soda, cakes, cookies (except for special occasions) and junk food from her diet. She also stopped eating after 6 p.m., started drinking lots of water and exercising more. One of the great things that she learned and has implemented was reading food labels. This has really helped her to make the right food choices.

She said her friends have really noticed the difference in her, they support and encourage her. Her family has been instrumental in her success. They also changed the way they eat and now eat the same food that she does, making it easier for her to stay focused. Her mom used to fry a lot of foods prior to her starting the Live Light program. Now they eat more salads and whole breads.

Currently she weighs 158.3 pounds and her BMI is now 28.0. Tanisha wants to lose another 15 pounds. With all the work and commitment she has shown, she will be able to do it.

The Live Light team is really proud of her success.

Winter Vegetables..Enjoy the Flavor of the Season!

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on’t let the cold weather keep you from celebrating the flavors of the season. Winter is a great time for produce! There are many flavor-packed, versatile winter vegetables in season.

Sweet potato and winter squash lead the pack. They are very flavorful and highly nutritious. They are root vegetables, meaning they grow underneath the ground where they are able to absorb high amounts of minerals and other nutrients from the soil. They are also able to absorb important nutrients from the sun through their leaves. So they are really superfoods!

Most root vegetables are high in complex carbohydrates, which slowly break down into sugar in your body to give you energy. They are also high in fiber and phytonutrients, and low in fat. Additionally, they are generally high in vitamin C, beta-carotene, and contain essential minerals such as potassium, phosphorous, magnesium and small amounts of iron.

Root vegetables can be eaten in just about any way imaginable, and still taste great. The wide variety of flavors work well in a hearty vegetable soup, stew or casserole dish. You can bake, steam or barbecue them, and serve them as a side dish for your favorite meat.

Check out some ways to incorporate these highly nutritious .. and delicious.. foods into your menu!

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Live Light Live Right Celebrate Weight Loss Success at their Annual Holiday Party

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Press Release

Brooklyn, NY(January 17th, 2014)-Live Light Live Right (LLLR), an adolescent obesity program, funded by Robinhood Foundation www.robinhood.org, held their annual holiday party Friday January 17th at Brookdale Hospital Center www.brookdalehospital.org. Nearly 200 hundred children and their families attended to celebrate the achievements and successes of those who have joined LLLR on this journey to promote health and fitness that have transformed their lives. The event celebrated the success of the children who have lost weight and remained committed to the program.  Additionally, children who had the highest show rate at their exercise classes were rewarded. The children and their families enjoyed an evening of food, games, fitness and dance competition.  Healthy food was prepared by the chefs at Brookdale Hospital Medical Center, which included nutty chick pea quinoa salad, grilled barbeque chicken and a low fat lasagna to name a few of the menu items. Robinhood Foundation, graciously donated the gifts that were given out to our children.  “We are commited to providing them with all the tools necessary to keep them on track on their journey to a healthy.”,  stated Sarita Dhuper, Executive Director.

About Live Light Live Right

Live Light, Live Right is a Brookdale Hospital and community-based partnership, non-profit 501 ( c) (3), serving overweight and obese children ages 2-19.    Nearly half of the children in the program are those who live below the poverty line; suffer from a BMI >95th percentile or are at high risk of developing diabetes or other serious chronic diseases.  By providing free or highly subsidized services, Live Light has already helped over 2,500 children improve their diet, exercise habits, and their health.  The novel, multi-disciplinary approach has resulted in positive health outcomes, including the reduction of Body Mass Index scores, cholesterol, blood pressure, and insulin levels for nearly three-quarters of all participants.

About Brookdale University Hospital and Medical Center

The Brookdale University Hospital and Medical Center is one of the largest voluntary nonprofit teaching hospitals and regional tertiary care centers. Brookdale provides general and specialized inpatient care to thousands of people every year. Our community centered organization provides numerous outpatient ambulatory care services in both on campus and off site facilities. Our mission is the commitment of being the focus of a healthy community, stressing the organization’s values of caring and respect for everyone.

Press Contact:

Alisha Rappaport
Director of Marketing and Development
Alisha@livelight.org
516-984-6865

Website: www.livelight.org
Twitter: @livelightright
Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/company/live-light-live-right
Facebook: www.facebook.com/livelightright

LLLR Receives $35,000 Grant for Volunteer Program

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We are thrilled to announce that we received a $35,000 Health Care Improvement grant from the United Hospital Fund, our first grant from the organization. The grant will help us promote voluntarism through our  new Let’s Share Volunteer Program, which operates in conjunction with Brookdale Hospital Medical Center. Each year, Brookdale’s over 700 volunteers’ selfless contributions of time and energy help make a difference. 

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Participant of the Month: Ariana

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Ariana

When Ariana’s grandmother learned that her 9-year-old granddaughter was developing insulin resistance and would be prescribed medication, she rallied the support team together.  She wanted to do everything she could to stop the disease process in its track and make sure Ariana would be healthy.

The family listened to the treatment teams’ advice to cut out excess sugar, eat plenty of vegetables, stop frying food and stop drinking juice. Ariana took more dance classes. And when she did a repeat blood test, she no longer needed to be on medication! This goal was reached because everyone in the family participated.

Ariana said it wasn’t hard, but her grandmother noticed that at times Ariana struggled with this new way of eating.  Along with modifying her diet, Ariana continued to exercise at the BRC.  Ariana fondly calls the BRC trainer Ebony “a pusher”.   Ariana explained that Ms. Ebony “pushes me, but I love it.”

Ariana further explains that “To whom much is given much is required”.  To Ariana, that means that if someone gives you the opportunity to do something you should push yourself and try your very best to succeed.

Help Your Child Avoid Holiday Weight Gain

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During the holiday season it is easy to pack on the pounds. Mixing large amounts of tempting food with time off from school to indulge in sedentary activities like watching TV and playing computer games can lead to unwanted pounds. With a little advance planning, you can help your child navigate the holiday season successfully. So what can you do to see that your kids enjoy this year’s festive season without gaining unnecessary weight?
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