Healthy Lifestyles BLog
Bull City Fit, Fit Together, and Why Families Matter
By: Matt Skinner, MS – Bull City Fit Coordinator
At Bull City Fit, family involvement is not an extra part of the program. It is the program.
When families come to Bull City Fit sessions, children are not asked to build healthy habits by themselves. Parents, caregivers, siblings, volunteers, medical students, residents, and staff all become part of a supportive environment where movement, nutrition, confidence, and connection happen together.
That matters.
A child may walk into a session feeling unsure, shy, tired, frustrated, or hesitant to try something new. But when a caregiver is present, encouraging them from the side, participating in an activity, celebrating a small success, or simply showing up consistently, that child receives an important message:
You are not doing this alone. Read More
The Team Behind Bull City Fit: Growing Together as a Community
By Matt Skinner, MS – Bull City Fit Coordinator
At Bull City Fit, every session is about more than physical activity. It is about creating a welcoming space where children, teens, and families can move, learn, connect, and build healthy habits together.
Bull City Fit is a free, community-based wellness program in Durham that offers evening and weekend activity sessions for Duke Healthy Lifestyles patients and their families. The program partners with Durham Parks and Recreation to provide a safe, fun environment where families can practice healthy lifestyle changes together.
As Bull City Fit Coordinator, one of the greatest privileges of my work is helping create that environment. Each session depends on a team of volunteers, students, medical trainees, and program staff who show up with energy, compassion, and a shared commitment to supporting families. Our team helps lead activities, welcome participants, encourage children, support parents, and make sure each program session feels safe, organized, inclusive, and fun. Read More
Backed by Science. Built for Families. Powered by Community
By Matt Skinner, MS – Bull City Fit Coordinator
Childhood obesity treatment works best when families are not asked to navigate it alone.
It works best when clinical care is connected to real-life opportunities. When healthy habits can be practiced in familiar community spaces. When children feel welcomed instead of judged. When caregivers receive support instead of blame. And when families have access to programs that make movement, nutrition, confidence, and connection part of everyday life.
That is the power of Bull City Fit. Read More
Beyond the Clinic Walls: Why Healthy Habits Matter for Healthcare Professionals Too
The Hardest Part is Showing up. Everything Else is Fun and Games
By Matt Skinner, MS – Bull City Fit Coordinator
Maintaining consistent physical activity and nutrition habits can be challenging. Exercises like burpees, pushups, and cardio workouts are not always the most enjoyable activities. Likewise, taking the extra step to prepare a healthy snack requires more effort than grabbing something prepackaged and convenient.
Time, accessibility, convenience, and physical ability often compete against our motivation to live healthier lifestyles. That’s true for most of us—and especially for kids living with obesity. It’s also one of the reasons we started celebrating the simple act of showing up at Bull City Fit. Read More
Challenge Your Family to Cut Down on Food Waste
By Jenny Favret, MS, RD, LDN, Nutritionist, Duke Pediatrics Healthy Lifestyles Program
Food is expensive and we all do our best to not waste it. Surely it must be other people who throw out food. “It’s NOT me”, we tell ourselves. If you recently discovered a bunch of slimy cilantro hiding in the vegetable drawer of the fridge, or if you tossed a half – eaten apple or the moldy remains of a block of cheese, then you DO (unintentionally) waste food. According to Feeding America, the United States discards more food than any country in the world. So maybe we could all do just a little better when it comes to throwing out our food. Read More
8 Tips to Improve Your Child’s Sleep (and How Nutrition Plays a Role)
By Georgia Vaughn, Clinical Dietitian, Duke Pediatrics Healthy Lifestyles Program
Sleep is one of the most essential—and often overlooked—foundations of a child’s health. Yet, the average American adolescent only gets 7 to 7.5 hours of sleep per night, falling short of the 8–10 hours recommended by medical experts.
Why does this matter? Because sleep affects nearly everything—from a child’s physical development and immune system to their mood, memory, and academic performance. Poor sleep quality has also been linked to increased weight retention and insulin resistance among adolescents. Read More
Happy Healthy New Year 2026!!
By: Jenny Favret, M.S.,R.D.,L.D.N., Nutritionist, Duke Pediatrics Healthy Lifestyles Program
The new year is a time to reflect on what is going well, and to consider what we may want to do differently in the coming months (aka “new year resolutions”). Health-related “resolutions” top the list but are often unrealistic and long-forgotten by mid-January. This year, sprinkle in some self-kindness for “resolutions” that may actually last throughout the year! Read More
Nourishing the Holidays: Intuitive Eating & Letting Go of Food Guilt
By: Georgia Vaughn, Clinical Dietitian, Duke Pediatrics Healthy Lifestyles Program
The holiday season—Thanksgiving, Christmas, and everything in between—is often filled with
family, fun, tradition… and a lot of food. For many teens, especially those working toward
healthier relationships with food and body image, this time of year can feel overwhelming. You
may hear mixed messages like “don’t overdo it” or “treat yourself, it’s the holidays!”—and it can
be hard to know what’s right for you. Read More
Why “One Size Does Not Fit All” When It Comes to Breakfast
By: Jenny Favret, M.S.,R.D.,L.D.N., Nutritionist, Duke Pediatrics Healthy Lifestyles Program
We’ve all heard it before: “Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.” But what that breakfast looks like? That’s where things get personal.
Some people wake up ravenous and ready to eat. Others need a little time before their appetite kicks in. Some crave a hot, hearty meal like scrambled eggs or a steaming bowl of oats, while others prefer the chill of a protein smoothie. There is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to breakfast. Read More
Have a Healthy Halloween!
By: Georgia Vaughn, Clinical Dietitian, Duke Pediatrics Healthy Lifestyles Program
Halloween is full of spooky fun, festive activities, and of course—sweets! But indulging in treats doesn’t have to mean abandoning healthy habits. With a little creativity and planning, you can enjoy everything the holiday has to offer while still feeling great. Here are some tips to help you and your family have a healthier, happier Halloween! Read More
How to Motivate Your Adolescent to Make Healthy Lifestyle Changes
By: Georgia Vaughn, Clinical Dietician, Duke Pediatrics Healthy Lifestyles Program
If you’re a parent of a tween or teen, you’ve probably discovered that getting them to make healthy choices isn’t as simple as telling them what’s good for them. Adolescents are at a stage where independence is key, and parents are often met with resistance.
But don’t worry—there are research-backed, realistic ways to support your adolescent in building healthy habits that stick. The key? Collaboration, consistency, and a little creativity. Read More
