Step Three: Patients and the Public

Building on the success of the initiative's efforts to date, AIM's Step Three is the culmination of the initiative's mission to address both family physicians and patients. As AIM moves forward it will focus on creating tools and resources to improve patient health. In addition, an emphasis will be placed on identifying ways to improve reimbursement to physicians for their work with patients on fitness issues. Another outcome of this step will be to ensure our physicians are able to effectively communicate the importance of and engage patients to improve their own fitness.

Some of the key efforts highlighted below demonstrate the AAFP's commitment to family physicians and patients to improve health of all Americans through AIM.

Ready, Set, FIT!

Through a partnership between the American Academy of Family Physicians’ fitness initiative, Americans In Motion (AIM) and Scholastic, Ready, Set, FIT! is a school-based program that teaches third- and fourth-graders about balancing fitness through physical activity, nutrition and emotional well-being. The Ready, Set, FIT! program will be distributed to select third- and fourth-grade teachers in Alabama, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Jersey and South Carolina. These pilot locations were selected based on the prevalence of childhood obesity in these areas. Other teachers and interested parties may also access the program by downloading the program materials from the Ready, Set, FIT! Web site. These materials include:

Teachers will be asked to administer a pre- and post-assessment quiz to gauge students’ knowledge about fitness. Teachers who report these results and complete a feedback survey will receive fitness incentives for their students and a Ready, Set, FIT! classroom certificate.

Family physicians are valuable community resources and role models for addressing personal fitness. Teachers are encouraged to invite a family physician to help kick off the first lesson. Together, teachers and family physicians can help children recognize the importance of family physicians and everyday choices individuals make to “be active, eat smart, and feel good.” The learning experience also extends from the classroom to the home. Students receive a guide with take-home assignments designed to engage family conversations about fitness choices.

AIM to Change Toolkit

The AIM to Change toolkit is the first of many tools and resources for family physicians to bring AIM to the patient level. AIM encourages capitalizing on the "teachable moments" in every possible patient encounter to discuss healthy lifestyle choices.

The AIM to Change toolkit offers key resources to help family physicians open a dialogue about fitness and encourage patients to make mindful lifestyle choices to improve or maintain their personal fitness through physical activity, healthy eating and emotional well-being.

The AIM to Change toolkit is free for AAFP members and was supported by a grant from McNeil Nutritionals, LLC, a Johnson & Johnson company, maker of SPLENDA® Brand Products.

Tips for Healthy Children and Families Poster Pack

AIM offers a free pack of office posters and a companion patient education tearpad designed to support a fitness-friendly office.

Displaying the posters in waiting area(s) and exam room(s) may help create opportunities for fitness discussions with patients. These patient-centered pieces provide key suggestions for children and families to move more, eat healthy and have quality time together.

This is also available in a Spanish version.

The poster pack is free for AAFP members and was supported by an educational grant from PepsiCo, Inc.