Healthy Choice Hotline

This free tool can help improve the health of the families you work with. This program is intended for families with children 5-12 years old, and is available for any child regardless of weight.

The Healthy Choice Hotline is a series of seven automated calls provided through an interactive voice response system. It was developed by the Kaiser Permanente Pediatric Nutrition Services in collaboration with the actor/educators from Kaiser Permanente's Educational Theatre Programs and employs a creative "theatrical" presentation style. The calls connect your families to a personal family coach, Jumpin’ Jack Johnson. Each week your families will spend about 5 minutes with Jumpin’ Jack setting family health goals for healthier eating and a more active lifestyle. These entertaining calls are designed for the whole family.

The hotline was designed after a Kaiser Permanente study showed that interactive technologies have the potential to assist parents of overweight and at-risk children to promote health lifestyle behaviors for their families.  In the study, children whose parents completed at least six of the ten counseling calls over one year decreased their BMI z-scores significantly more than those that used workbooks or participated in group counseling.

Register to participate
Interested adults call the automated line from the Denver metro area at 720.857.7907 or outside the area at 866.868.7116. Participants do not need to be Kaiser Permanente members. For more information visit http://www.healthychoicehotline.org/ or call 303.239.7435.

Reasons to use the Healthy Choice Hotline:

1. It works. It is based on a program that indicates parents who used the telephone support system for at least 6 calls were able to make changes at home that helped their kids move towards a healthy weight.
2. Support hard to reach people. This program is available state-wide, to both Kaiser Permanente members and non-members.
3. Calls are quick. The average call takes about 5 minutes to complete.
4. The calls are personalized. Each call is set up so participants can select the topics that are right for them, their child, and their families.
5. The calls are centered on health not weight. Calls will help participants adjust a home setting so that it is easier to make healthy food and physical activity choices. It doesn’t focus on weight loss or putting children on a diet.
6. The whole family can benefit. The supportive calls focus on changing food and physical activity availability in the home and everyone in the house benefits. Research has shown that parents weight, eating, and physical activity habits improve as well when these changes at home are made.
7. The information is practical. Each call includes practical tips and realistic goals.
8. Scheduling is a breeze. The system is available 24 hours a day and 7 days a week.
9. Support is available. Participants (members and non-members) can request that a Kaiser Permanente dietitian call them directly.

Also available - New Video Resources

Shopping, Cooking and Snacking: Healthy Tips for Families
Created for busy parents striving to provide healthy meals for their families, these three short (3-6 minute) videos offer practical tips for shopping, cooking and preparing snacks. The segments feature Nora Norback, a Kaiser Permanente registered dietitian, who provides a clear roadmap for families often distracted by homework, full-time jobs and the convenience of fast food. http://www.youtube.com/kaiserpermanenteorg