Healthy Choice Hotline

The Healthy Choice Hotline is a series of 7 prerecorded calls that prompts you to answer questions, decide what topic to discuss and which goals you want to set. The call will follow up on your goals set and provide you information and resources to help you achieve your goals. Each call is based on a different topic and you decide which topic you want to work on first. Topics include Fruits and vegetables, sweetened beverages, screen time, physical activity and regular meals. Call 1-866-868-7116. Click to download information. Listen to a sample call.

Healthy Choice Hotline FAQs

How do I register?
If you provided us your phone number, we will call you and the first call will be gathering information to register you. If you did not provide us your phone number, call 720-857-7907 from the Denver metro area, or 1-866-868-7116 from outside the metro area to register.

How it works.
After you register, Coach Jumpin' Jack Johnson will automatically call you within a week to get started. If you miss that call or if you answer the call, but not at a good time to talk, you can call him back. Or, if you don't remember to call back, Jumpin' Jack will automatically attempt to call you three more times, but that's it! Then it is up to you. Don't forget, you can always call him back to complete your next call, just make sure you allow yourself 7 days between calls so you have time to try out your new strategies.

Do I need to call from the same phone line each time?
The automated system will call you at the number you provided. If you need to call the system back, you can call from any phone line but will enter the phone number you registered with to identify you as the caller.

Will my information be shared?
No, we will not share any information.

What if I need more information or have questions?
You can call our Registered Dietitian at any time with questions or for more information. Her phone number is 303 239-7435.

I screen my calls, how will I know it is the hotline calling?
The hotline will come up on your caller ID as "Health Choice"

What if I miss a call?
No problem, call back into the system as soon as you are able at 720-857-7907 from the Denver metro area, or 1-866-868-7116 from outside the metro area.

Does an interactive voice recording program work?
Yes, the Healthy Choice Hotline is designed after a positive study* done at Kaiser Permanente Colorado. The study tested whether interactive technologies have the potential to assist parents of overweight and at-risk children to promote healthy lifestyle behaviors for their families.

*Parent-and-child (aged 8-12 years) (N=220) were assigned randomly to one of the three Family Connections (FC) interventions: FC-workbook, FC-group, or FC-interactive voice response (IVR) counseling. Child BMI z-scores, as well as symptoms of eating disorders and body image, were assessed at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months. The BMI z-scores of children assigned to the FC-IVR intervention were the only ones that decreased from baseline to 6 months (0.07 SD) and from baseline to 12 months (0.08 SD, p<0.05). Children whose parents completed at least six of the ten FC-IVR counseling calls had decreased BMI z-scores to a greater extent than children in the FC-workbook or FC- group interventions at both 6 months (p<0.05) and 12 months (p<0.01).

The above information adapted from the abstract of Automated Telephone Counseling for Parents of Overweight Children A Randomized Controlled Trial (Am J Prev Med 2009;36(1):35-42)

Reasons to use the Healthy Choice Hotline:

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.
Support hard to reach people. This program is available state-wide, to both Kaiser Permanente members and non-members.
Calls are quick. The average call takes about 5 minutes to complete.
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.
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.
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.
The information is practical. Each call includes practical tips and realistic goals.
Scheduling is a breeze. The system is available 24 hours a day and 7 days a week.

Support is available. Participants (members and non-members) can request that a Kaiser Permanente dietitian call them directly.