Programs
The participant may select from 3 different options, depending on personal preference and convenience.
1. Medical Evaluation Only:
The medical evaluation is a two day visit where the child and family will meet with the members of our multidisciplinary staff and have multiple metabolic tests conducted. The metabolic tests performed will give a detailed evaluation of the child’s body composition, bone density and heart activity.
During the initial consult, the child and family will meet with a pediatric specialist, who will conduct a medical history intake and physical exam on the child. The child will also meet with an exercise physiologist who will perform multiple body composition measures; including DXA, Anthropometrics, and Bioelectrical impedance analysis. An ECG will be performed, in order to see the activity of the child’s heart as well as the resting metabolic test to show how many calories the child uses at rest.
On the second visit, the child and family will meet with a registered dietician for a nutritional assessment based on the child’s historical recall and 3-day food diaries. The nutritional assessment will identify dietary and micronutrient deficiencies and establish a healthy eating pattern while lowering caloric intake.
2. CRUNCHTIME™ – Gym Based Program:
Pre-program Activities (Baseline evaluation – similar to the medical evaluation above)
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A physician must refer each child to the program.
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A pediatric specialist will perform a medical history intake and physical exam for each child.
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An exercise physiologist will perform a metabolic exercise test, body composition measures and do preliminary testing on resistance training equipment.
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The child and their family will meet with a dietician for a nutritional assessment.
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An exercise physiologist will develop an individual work plan for the patient.
The exercise physiologist will supervise the children for 1 ½ hours of aerobic exercise on a bicycle or treadmill, as well as resistance training on equipment specifically designed for the size of the child twice weekly for a 12-week period. A physician will be on-site.
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Blood pressure and heart rate will be monitored throughout the exercise phase.
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Once a week, children and their families will meet with a dietician and participate in an organized group educational program which includes topics related to diet and exercise.
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Patients’ progress will be monitored and exercise increased or decreased as needed.
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Prior to completion, an additional exercise and nutrition plan will be developed for the child and family to ease into transition to the maintenance phase.
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At completion of the intensive phase, an evaluation similar to the baseline intake will be performed.
Maintenance Phase (6-Months)
The child will transition into a home-based program with a personalized nutrition and exercise plan. The child will attend two exercise training sessions per month and nutrition and exercise plans will be evaluated and adjusted as necessary. Staff will make follow-up phone calls to patients and their families between visits.
3. CRUNCHTIME™ – Home Based Program:
The CRUNCHTIME™ – Home Based Program is designed to encourage the health and lifestyle changes of a child through exercise and nutrition at the convenience of ones home.
The child and family will complete the full medical evaluation, meeting with the pediatric specialist, exercise physiologist and registered dietician. In addition to the metabolic testing, the child will complete preliminary testing in resistance training and aerobic exercise. Based on the child’s assessment, each child will receive a personalized 9 month nutrition and exercise plan. We will supply exercise equipment for the child to take home, including thera-bands and dumbbell weights.
The child will attend two exercise training sessions per month at the on-site exercise facility. The nutrition and exercise plans will be evaluated and adjusted as necessary. Staff will make follow-up phone calls to patients and their families between visits. At the completion of the home based program, an evaluation similar to the baseline intake will be performed.
For further information regarding our program and costs, please contact our staff.
The Batchelor Children’s Research Institute
University of Miami
Miller School of Medicine
1580 NW 10th Ave
Miami, FL 33136
305-243-1722
E-Mail: crunchtime@med.miami.edu
Go the Children's Heart Research Programs Website
Go the Division of Clinical Research Programs Website