This portion of the plenary session panel presents IEHP\'s weight loss program with XRtainment Zone that uses exergames. It also gives the health plan\'s needs and expectations for future contracts.

1. Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP)
and Exergames
Dr. Sue Wong Gengler, DrPH, CHES
Inland Empire Health Plan
Games For Health Conference,
May 8, 2008

2. ♦ 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

3. Percent of Overweight Children in California
19 18.8
18 17.4
Percent
17
16.1
15.8
16
15
14
1999-2002 2003-2004
Ages 6-11 Ages 12-19
Sources: National Center for Health Statistics,
2003.

4. IEHP
Weight 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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)

8. 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

9. What We Look For In A Program
♦ Accessibility ♦ Languages
♦ Equip members to make ♦ Culturally appropriate
lifestyle changes ♦ Sustainable skills
♦ Previous evaluation or ♦ Doesn’t have to be
outcomes
computer savvy
♦ Family involvement
♦ Nutrition education
♦ Good potential for
desired outcomes
♦ Flexible program times
♦ Willing to revise

10. Contact Information
Dr. Sue W. Gengler, DrPH, CHES
Inland Empire Health Plan
(909) 890-2039
Email: gengler-s@iehp.org