Healthy Weight and Your Child

No Current scheduled Classes

The Y believes that you can achieve a healthy weight together.

Reclaim your family’s health through healthier eating habits and an active lifestyle with our Healthy Weight and Your Child program!

How the program works

Healthy Weight and Your Child is a three-month evidence-based program for children with obesity. The program empowers 7- to 13-year-olds, with the support of their families, to reach a healthy weight and live a healthier lifestyle. The program includes a Family Information Session followed by sessions delivered over three months.

The program, made up of groups of 10 to 15 children and their adult, creates a safe, fun, and active environment for children and their families to explore and adopt proven methods to living a healthier lifestyle.

YMCA_healthy_weigh_and_Your_Child-cooking

Healthy Weight and Your Child’s curriculum is adapted from the most widely disseminated and extensively evaluated child weight management program in the world. The family-based weight-management program emphasizes three elements: healthy eating, regular physical activity, and behavior change to elicit a positive life-long lifestyle transformation.

The program is delivered by two trained leaders: A Content Leader who delivers the education and nutrition portions of the program; and an Activity Leader who leads physical activity safely for children with obesity.

Children with obesity are at greater risk for bone and joint problems, sleep apnea, and social and psychological problems such as stigmatization and poor self-esteem, and are more likely to develop risk factors for cardiovascular disease and prediabetes.

EMPOWERING FAMILIES TO LIVE HEALTHIER

Why the whole family?

Healthy Weight and Your Child engages the whole family, so together they can understand how the home environment and other factors influence the choices that lead to a healthy weight.

Evidence shows that child weight-management programs are more effective when the whole family is involved and committed to adopting healthier habits.

For this reason, the program is designed so that adult attendance is required at all sessions.

To qualify for participation in this program:

  • Child must be 7- to 13-years-old
  • Child must carry excess weight
  • Child must receive clearance from a healthcare provider or school nurse to participate in physical activity
  • Adult MUST attend all sessions with child

A family-based lifestyle change program:

  • In-person sessions for child and adult
  • Peer support for adults
  • Physical activity
  • Healthy eating
  • Portion control
  • Grocery store tour
  • Food label reading

An evidence-based program:

  • Over 39 peer-reviewed publications have documented positive outcomes following the program
  • Developed by leading child health and weight management specialists using the best available evidence, clinical and government guidelines

For additional information or questions: Please contact Travis Lerma, Director of Healthcare Integration at 719.495.5130 or [email protected].

Early Adopted

The YMCA of the Pikes Peak Region is one of 19 Ys participating in a pilot program to address childhood obesity in youth ages 7-13, with a body mass index of the 95th percentile or higher and their families.

kids playing ball

Proud Sponsors & Partners

  • Colorado Christian University Logo Safe_Place_

  • Centura-Penrose-St-Francis-Logo Colorado-Springs

Accreditation Partners