Healthy Weight and Your Child

Program Overview

Healthy Weight and Your Child is an evidence-based lifestyle change intervention designed to address childhood obesity by empowering children and families through education, healthy eating and physical activity. The program is geared toward the whole family, engaging children and adults in nutrition education and physical activity to elicit positive change and to help families learn skills to live a healthier lifestyle long-term. The program kicks off with an information session for families and consists of 25 two-hour sessions delivered over the course of four months. Each session involves both child and adult in facilitated activities, group discussion and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity.

The Healthy Weight and Your Child curriculum is adapted from the most widely disseminated and extensively evaluated child weight management program in the world (Mind, Exercise, Nutrition, Do-IT—MEND). Studies have shown the program model is effective in reducing a child’s body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference, reducing sedentary behaviors, increasing physical activity and improving self-esteem.

Program Details

• For kids ages 7-13 years old
   
• Participants must carry excess weight (BMI in the 95th percentile or higher)
   
• Participants must receive clearance to participate in physical activity from a healthcare provider
   
• Adult must be able to attend all sessions with participating child