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Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions about the Namio program.
Where and when is NAMIO offered?
01.
NAMIO is a 100% virtual program that is delivered when and where families need it. Families access the NAMIO curriculum, coaching services, workshops, cooking demos, and workouts through the NAMIO app. Families can enroll in NAMIO and begin the program at any time! The first group session on getting started is offered every month for newly-enrolled families to kick off their NAMIO experience and engage with other newly-enrolled families.
How is NAMIO structured in terms of session and for what length of time?
02.
The NAMIO family healthy weight program includes 26 hours of contact over 3-12 months. The complete NAMIO curriculum includes 30 15-minute on-demand health education sessions, monthly group coaching, 12 individual coaching sessions, and elective live and on-demand workouts, mindfulness workshops, and cooking classes. The NAMIO slogan of “5 to thrive” refers to NAMIO’s focus on nutrition, physical activity, sleep, screen use, and social-emotional wellness in promoting optimal health.
Who delivers NAMIO and how are they trained?
03.
The NAMIO program was developed by 2 board-certified pediatricians and a health educator. The pediatricians, Dr. Natalie Muth and Dr. Mary Tanaka, have additional training and expertise in nutrition, weight management, and culinary medicine. The health educator, Cassandra Padgett, has a masters degree in health education, an ACE-certification as a health coach and personal trainer, and extensive experience serving as a health coach in a healthy living clinic for children, adolescents, and their families. Learn more about the 3 NAMIO co-founders here. The NAMIO program is currently being delivered by the 3 co-founders.
What ages is NAMIO designed to serve?
04.
NAMIO is designed for families with children and adolescents ages 10-18.
Is NAMIO an appropriate behavioral intervention for adolescents on GLP-1 agonists and other anti-obesity medications.
05.
Absolutely! NAMIO has a special track for adolescents taking anti-obesity medications that provides additional coaching, health education, and two-way communication with the prescribing clinician. Co-founder Dr. Natalie Muth is a board-certified obesity medicine specialist and registered dietitian. She leads several NAMIO workshops tailored to nutrition and physical activity for adolescents on anti-obesity medications. The FDA insert on approved anti-obesity medications suggest that behavioral intervention is essential for adolescents taking anti-obesity medications. Additionally, the American Academy of Pediatrics advises that anti-obesity medications should never be used alone – they must be accompanied by a behavioral intervention. Despite exponential growth in prescribing anti-obesity medications for adolescents, few behavioral programs are accessible for many families. NAMIO helps to solve this problem, providing ready access to a best-practice intervention.
What is the cost of NAMIO?
06.
NAMIO offers 3 subscription levels. Further details are available on the NAMIO app [add link or QR code]. NAMIO participates in various collaborations and partnerships which may help to make the NAMIO program available to as many families as possible. Please contact us here if you’d like further information about our existing initiatives.
How do patients and families register for NAMIO?
07.
Families can sign up to begin their NAMIO experience on the NAMIO app [insert QR code]. Pediatricians and clinicians can refer families to NAMIO through this HIPAA secure link [??]
08.
How does NAMIO communicate with a referring clinician regarding attendance, completion, and outcomes?
NAMIO is committed to partnering with pediatricians and referring clinicians to help link clinical and community healthy weight services. With a family’s permission, NAMIO communicates with the referring clinician at the time of enrollment, with each milestone a family and child achieves, and program completion including the total number of hours of engagement and goals achieved. NAMIO also is happy to speak with a referring clinician and receive updates to better serve our NAMIO families. All communication with clinicians and patient health information is HIPAA compliant.
09.
How do I know that NAMIO is effective and safe?
NAMIO is based on the best scientific evidence of what comprises a safe and effective family healthy weight clinic. The CDC, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommend that children ages 6 and older with overweight or obesity be offered or referred to a family-based program that includes at least 26 hours over 3-12 months with focus on nutrition, activity, and other behavior changes. NAMIO does just that. Additionally, all NAMIO content is based on the best evidence of what works to help support families in optimizing their health. The Community Preventive Services Task Force (CPSTF) recommends digital health interventions to assist adolescents with overweight or obesity with weight management. Evidence shows these interventions lead to meaningful weight reductions as well as improvements in depressive symptoms and no increased risk of disordered eating or body image harms in adolescents with overweight or obesity. NAMIO works closely with families and referring clinicians to monitor engagement, behavior changes, goal attainment, and family and clinician satisfaction. NAMIO is committed to continual learning and growth to help all families who engage with the NAMIO curriculum to improve their health and have a successful experience.
How does NAMIO ensure privacy and confidentiality?
10.
Confidentiality and privacy is of paramount importance to NAMIO. Personal information is encrypted and password-protected. All individual and group coaching sessions occur through HIPAA-compliant technology. Family and adolescent engagement and changes in risk factors and behaviors are monitored only for the purpose of evaluating program effectiveness and for ongoing quality improvement, and only with a family’s permission. Personal data and information will never be shared or sold.