Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP) and Exergames

Dr. Sue Wong Gengler, DrPH, CHES

Inland Empire Health Plan

Games For Health Conference,

May 8, 2008

♦ Riverside and San Bernardino Counties in Southern California

♦ Public entity, not-for-profit

♦ 344,901 Members (March 2008)

♦ Low-income families, and 83% of Membership is Medi-Cal (Medicaid)

♦ Recent immigrants, 1st and 2nd

generation

15.8 16.1

18.817.4

14

15

16

17

18

19

Perc

ent

1999-2002 2003-2004

Percent of Overweight Children in California

Ages 6-11 Ages 12-19

Sources: National Center for Health Statistics, 2003.

IEHPWeight Loss Programs

♦ Nine Adult and Pediatric programs♦ Group and/or individual sessions; range of 4 –

10 sessions depending on program♦ Commercial programs♦ No cost and low-cost to members in all lines

of business♦ Each member who is registered for a program

is tracked for: communications with IEHP, mailings, types of program registered, attendance, and outcomes

XRtainment Zone

♦8,000 sq ft of exergames and exertainment equipments that include DDR, Jackie Chan Fitnes Studio, EyeToy, etc. for aerobic and isometric workouts

♦ Located in Redlands (San Bernardino County)

♦ Fitness and nutrition education sessions

XRtainment Zone Family Fit Program

♦ Contracted in January 2007

♦ Ages 5 - 17

♦ BMI > 85th %tile for age and gender

♦ Primary Care Physician referral

♦ Parent participation required

♦ Biometrics: height, weight, BMI,

percent body fat

♦ IEHP evaluation

♦ Free to members

XRtainment Zone Program (Cont.)

♦ 7-weekly sessions @ 1 ½ hrs each session: didactic and exertainment games

♦ Sundays (English & Spanish) and Wednesdays

♦ Free access to the Zone during the seven weeks

♦ Eligible for free monthly membership after completion of program

♦ Up to four free monthly memberships (approx. total of 6 months participation)

Members’ Feedback

♦ Like the practical information – portion

sizes, nutrition, exercise

♦ Like the exergames

♦ Seeing some positive results

♦ Too busy to take child to the Zone three times a week to continue with the free monthly membership

♦ Too far away

♦ Languages

♦ Culturally appropriate

♦ Sustainable skills

♦ Doesn’t have to be computer savvy

What We Look For In A Program

♦ Accessibility♦ Equip members to make

lifestyle changes♦ Previous evaluation or

outcomes♦ Family involvement♦ Nutrition education♦ Good potential for

desired outcomes♦ Flexible program times♦ Willing to revise

Contact Information

Dr. Sue W. Gengler, DrPH, CHESInland Empire Health Plan

(909) 890-2039Email: gengler-s@iehp.org