PROMOTING GOOD HEALTH
Nutrition and exercise have to be part of the plan
Proper nutrition and exercise are fundamental to the health care of any child, and Lee Health incorporates these two building blocks into all treatment plans for their patients. “At Lee Health, we promote healthy nutrition and increased activity to speed up healing and aid in recovery from disease or injury,” says Elizabeth Loughren, ambulatory nurse manager of the pediatric division. Exercise and good nutrition also improve mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and negative moods. Plus, they raise self-esteem and improve cognitive function.
Lee Health’s philosophy is that everyone plays a part in helping children improve their overall health, so it doesn’t just fall in the lap of one medical professional. Its electronic medical record system alerts staff when counseling and information should be provided to the child/parent/guardian. That happens during any encounter, whether it’s seeing a general practitioner, specialist, or an urgent-care visit. Counseling is provided to each child between the ages of 3 and 17—no matter their fitness level.
Patients are also given an educational pamphlet that covers the easy-to-remember 5-2-1-0 diet and exercise plan to combat childhood obesity:
• Eat 5 fruits and/or vegetables per day.
• Reduce screen time to no more than 2 hours per day.
• Increase physical activity to at least 1 hour per day.
• Limit sugar-sweetened drinks to a goal of 0 per day.
The concept is to make small, easy-to-incorporate changes that have a significant impact on health. Patients have control
over their individual plans by making their own choices of the fruits and vegetables they like best, such a bananas, apples, grapes, green beans, and cauliflower, and by deciding to participate in a physical activity of their liking, such as swimming, cycling, walking, playing ball, dancing, tennis, or any other aerobic exercise.
There are some instances and underlying conditions where a modification to the 5-2-1-0 plan is needed. “It’s always best to check with a provider first,” says Loughren.
Nicole Keperling, an RN at the Lee Health Kid’s Urgent Care in Naples, was pleasantly surprised when she handed out her first educational pamphlet during a pediatric visit. “The parent was grateful for the information, and it shows that sometimes having us reinforce the information is just what is needed to make a change,” she says.
The Lee Health pediatric division followed one of its young patients who agreed to the 5-2-1-0 challenge. His grandmother said that at first he was reluctant to make a change, but he gradually increased his activity to one hour a day and even started riding his bike with his best friend. This increased activity has helped him sleep better and made a notable impact in many ways after only two weeks. “Everyone was pleased to hear the good news, and we look forward to what continued use of the 5-2-1-0 does,” says Loughren.
With the 5-2-1-0 plan, even small modifications can make a big difference.
“At Lee Health, we promote healthy nutrition and increased activity to speed up healing and aid in recovery from disease or injury.” –Elizabeth Loughren, nurse manager, pediatric division