WIN-WIN

South End Community Health Center (SECHC)
Boston, MA

Total CAVU funding: $20,000

Results: Formal program evaluation completed, assessing strengths and weaknesses

At the South End Community Health Center (SECHC), CAVU invested in advancement and improvement of the WIN-WIN (Weight Initiative Now) Program, an initiative designed to prevent and treat childhood obesity.

First piloted in 2003, the WIN-WIN Program targeted multiple causes for the growing epidemic of childhood overweight and obesity, including physical inactivity, sedentary behavior, socioeconomic status, eating habits, and environment. 40% of SECHC's pediatric patients are obese, compared to a nationwide average of 14%. Concern for these children compelled health center staff to create WIN-WIN.

CAVU committed to helping the WIN-WIN Program develop into a more focused, refined, and replicable approach to dealing with pediatric overweight. CAVU funded a formal evaluation conducted by Abt Associates to assess program strengths and weaknesses, as well as identifying known best practice models. WIN-WIN staff is now engaged in refining the program's focus and building institutional understanding of what the program offers. They are also working on incorporating lessons learned from their pediatric efforts into a comprehensive approach to dealing with adult obesity.