Strong4Life WIC Program

Wendy Palmer MS, RDN, LD, CHES

Improving the Effectiveness of Childhood Obesity Counseling

Strong4Life Provider Training

Strong4Life WIC Program Objectives• Improve client centered counseling skills of WIC staff to

facilitate behavior change and the incorporation of healthy habits

• Improve goal setting techniques of WIC staff to include setting SMART goals with all clients

• Effectively use the WIC Provider Toolkit components to assist with counseling and goal setting

Guide to Client-Centered Counseling

Ask, don’t tell

Place responsibility for change with the client

Ask for permission to share

Listen more than you talk

Don’t force change

5 A’s for Obesity Counseling

Vallis M, Piccinini-Vallis H, Sharma AM, Freedhoff Y. Clinical review: modified 5 As: minimal intervention for obesity counseling in primary care. Can Fam Physician. 2013 Jan;59(1):27-31

Ask

Assess

AdviseAgree

AssistGuides counseling for

behavior change

Tools

Strong4LIfe WIC Training

531 WIC nutritionists

and Staff

Strong4Life WIC Champions Program

QuestionsInput

Observations Feedback

SupportResources

NutritionistsWIC

Champion Strong4Life

Information Sharing

Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta

Strong4Life WIC Champions

• Vickie Andrews• Susan Bell• Cameron Boyle• Morgan Brantley• Suzie Davis• Mena Forrester• Hans Hammer• Tellas Hanford• Jean Hill• Kimberly Howell

• Rodasha Scott• Amir Shaheer• Lyndsey Tison• Natalia Torres-

Negron• Syreeta Wainaina

• Lindsey Jordan• Jodie Lovell• Sharon McLeod• Carla Moore• Nina Nolasco• Afiya Paige• Cindy Paramore• Jessica Ryan• Ryan Saccucci• Celeste Salter

Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta

Strong4Life WIC Champions

• Danica Carswell• Pat Mobley• Holly Rountree• Greta Sebestyen

• Barbara Stahnke

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Thanks for all you do!