IHBLT Program: Healthy Weight and Your Child (HWYC)

Brief Description

Healthy Weight in Your Child is a licensed version of MEND from Healthy Weight Partnership delivered by YMCAs.

Healthy Weight and Your Child is a 25-session evidence-based program for children with obesity. The program includes a Family Information Session followed by 25 sessions. The family-based weight-management program focuses on nutrition education and physical activity to encourage healthier eating habits and an active lifestyle to reach a healthy weight.

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 and waist circumference, reducing sedentary behaviors, increasing physical activity, and improving self-esteem.

If Community-Based, Where

Community-Based

Willingness to Connect with Medical Home

Ys, partner sites, remote delivery, etc.

Medical Connection

Yes, Ys work with health care providers for referrals to HWYC. Physician clearance for physical activity is required for participation.

Health Outcomes

HWYC is licensed from Healthy Weight Partnership, the owner of MEND and is the MEND model, but delivered through Ys. The primary outcome is the reduction in the child’s body mass index (BMI) via weight management strategies or a slowing of their gain.

Eligible Population

Requirements: be 7-13 years old; carry excess weight (Body mass index of the 95th percentile or higher); receive clearance from a provider to participate in physical activity; have an adult attend ALL sessions with them

Length of Intervention

Family Information Session followed by 25 sessions delivered over four months. Each session is two hours in length. The first 20 sessions happen twice a week and the remaining 5 sessions happen weekly.

Links/Contact Info

https://www.ymca.org/what-we-do/healthy-living/fitness/healthy-weight-and-your-child

Lead Contact

Heather Hodge: heather.hodge@ymca.net