Authored by: Emily Walters, Let’s Go! Healthcare Program Manager
We’re always looking for ways to support our partners. Earlier this year we saw a need for interactive, educational tools and by May we had developed, piloted and introduced a series of free online courses. Healthcare professionals and child care providers can now visit our website to obtain strategies for helping children and families develop healthy behaviors.
Next Steps for the Healthcare Professional
The epidemic of childhood obesity is one of the most challenging public health issues of our time. Evidence based guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) are thorough but difficult to implement in practice. Our Next Steps online course consists of 22 modules of 10 minutes or less and complements the existing Next Steps Guide.
Themes range from portion sizes and healthy drinks to physical activity and understanding healthy foods. We aim to equip pediatric providers with effective, evidence-based tools to guide their patients to better health. Maine Medical Center designates this educational activity for a maximum of 5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™ and credits are given after completion of all modules. And a special thanks to the Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation for thier financial support.
Knowledge for the Child Care Provider
Let’s Go! believes everyone can play a role in reversing the childhood obesity epidemic. The early childhood trainings are designed to educate child care providers on physical activity and nutrition-related topics for young children. There are currently 4 different modules available on: the history and causes of the obesity epidemic, physical activity for young children, nutrition for young children, and support for breastfeeding families. Each module varies in length from about 30 minutes to 1 hour and is followed by a knowledge-enhancing quiz and certificate of licensing contact hours.
For more information on Let’s Go!’s course offerings visit the “Online Trainings” section of our site.