Mary Jean Taylor, co-designer of the program. Our philosophy centers around having the parent and the child come together and achieve a solution that works for both of them. If we can make a difference in a child's life, and they enter adulthood with good eating habits, weight control isn't something they take into adult life. Taylor, together with Margaret Mazzone, who teaches pediatric and adult neuro-rehabilitation at Daemen, and Elmwood Health Center Director of Rehabilitation Brian Wrotniak, developed the 10 week program with backing from Daemen and the Center. It's designed to be fun, and each 40 minute class offers aerobic exercise as well as stretching and strength conditioning.
Sessions end with relay races and volleyball.
For children weight control is also a major self-esteem issue. We want to impart a feeling that 'I can make good choices. The outcome, for the child, is 'I feel better about myself'. Health and nutritional information in Family Fitness Matters is provided by Gary A. Styn, Jr., M.D., associate clinical coordinator of the Daemen College Physician Assistant Program. Dr. Styn, who was appointed to the State University of New York School of Medicine faculty as a Resident in 1997, will discuss topics such as preventive care, eating right, making smart decisions, the importance of reading labels on cereal boxes and snack foods, and learning the contents of the many fast foods that are popular choices with kids.