Childhood Obesity

CIGNA has joined forces with Healthy Kids Challenge to fight the epidemic of childhood obesity in America. Why?

"Because of the increasing rates of obesity, unhealthy eating habits, and physical inactivity, we may see the first generation that will be less healthy and have a shorter life expectancy than their parents."
—U.S. Surgeon General Richard Carmona, March 2004

Think about that statement for a minute: today's children may not outlive their parents. Think about the implications for families, for employers and for society in general. The effects of childhood obesity are far-reaching, but they are not irreversible.

That's why CIGNA has teamed up with Healthy Kids Challenge (HKC), a national nonprofit organization focused on helping schools and communities take preventive action against childhood obesity by encouraging healthier eating habits and physical activity in elementary school children. HKC's success led us to broaden the scope of their school-based initiative to include educational materials to reach others who touch parents' and children's lives—health care providers, employers, businesses and other members of the community.

We're working with health care providers
Research reveals that some health care providers have difficulty addressing the issue of obesity with children's parents. To help bridge this gap, CIGNA HealthCare, in conjunction with CIGNA Behavioral Health and Healthy Kids Challenge, has built an online Provider Toolkit that offers health care providers with information, tips and tools to help facilitate open discussions with parents about obesity in children.

Join the challenge. By bringing families, employers, health care providers and schools together and providing the tools and support they need to help change attitudes, behaviors, and the health outlook for our children, we can make a difference. But we can't do it alone. You can help.

Complete this short survey* (PDF) to let us know you'd like information and toolkits to help you work with your patients to combat obesity.

Other supporting wellness components
In addition to the relationship with the Healthy Kids Challenge, we offer other wellness programs and services to help promote and support healthy living:

• Healthy Rewards^®—CIGNA's national amenities program which provides our members with access to complementary and alternative therapies at discounted prices, including discounts for fitness club memberships, pedometers, walking programs, health and wellness products and Weight Watchers^® and Jenny Craig programs.
  
  
• CIGNA HealthCare 24-Hour Health Information Line^SM—Members can reach a nurse to ask health care questions 24 hours a day, seven days a week, from anywhere in the U.S. The service also offers a recorded audio tape library of more than 1000 topics, including weight management and childhood health and wellness topics.
  
  
• CIGNA Well Aware Program for Better Health^SM—Our condition management programs help individuals with chronic conditions—many of which are linked to obesity—develop personalized action plans under the guidance of their physician. Members are provided access to an experienced registered nurse to call for guidance and support, education materials and self-care information.