SAN DIEGO, Aug. 31, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- The Healthyroads eXtremeFUN(tm) Weight Management Program for Children and Teens has been selected as one of the most innovative childhood obesity programs in the United States by the National Initiative for Children's Healthcare Quality (NICHQ). The referral-based program is the creation of Healthyroads, Inc., a subsidiary of American Specialty Health (ASH), the nation's leading specialty benefits organization for complementary health care and wellness programs.
As part of its Accelerating Improvement in Childhood Obesity campaign, NICHQ earlier this year launched a nationwide search to identify the most innovative and promising clinical programs addressing childhood obesity. ASH submitted to NICHQ the eXtremeFUN program, which offers to children and teens individualized interventions such as personalized coaching calls, age-appropriate guidebooks, and parental and pediatric involvement. NICHQ recently named this program one of the nation's most innovative efforts to deliver effective clinical services and care to children who are overweight and at risk of becoming overweight.
Program details will be presented to health care leaders, researchers, and policy makers at the National Congress on Accelerating Improvement in Childhood Obesity in Washington on Sept. 20. Following the Congress, NICHQ will institute a Web-based learning network for the sharing of eXtremeFUN program information and other effective childhood obesity strategies.
"The individualized interventions and family participation that are at the heart of the eXtremeFUN program work together in a novel way to help children and teens address the personal and family issues, social challenges, and cultural values that often drive childhood obesity," said ASH chairman, president, and chief executive officer George DeVries. "We are tremendously pleased that NICHQ has recognized Healthyroads for its innovative efforts to help youths better manage their weight and lead healthier, more active lives."
NICHQ is an education and research organization dedicated solely to improving the quality of health care provided to children. Founded in 1999, NICHQ's mission is to eliminate the gap between what is and what can be in health care for all children.
ASH and its subsidiaries offer benefit, fitness, and wellness programs to health plans, insurance carriers, employer groups, and trust funds nationwide. Healthyroads, Inc. is ASH's wellness, health education, and e-commerce subsidiary, offering award-winning weight management, tobacco cessation, and healthy living programs.
Based in San Diego, ASH has over 500 employees and covers more than 12 million members in benefit programs and more than 500,000 members in wellness programs. For more information, visit ASH online at ASHCompanies.com or call 800.848.3555.
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