MEND and Healthy Together: Empowering Children and Families to Combat Obesity
Childhood obesity continues to be a pressing public health concern, but innovative programs are taking a proactive approach to address this issue head-on. The Mind, Exercise, Nutrition…Do It! (MEND) program, along with its variants, and the “Healthy Weight and Your Child” program from the YMCA, are evidence-based interventions that empower children and their families to make positive changes in their lives, promoting healthier lifestyles and combatting the challenges associated with excess weight.
MEND is a direct education intervention designed to manage overweight and obesity in children aged 2-13 years and their families. The program’s core objective is to improve health, fitness, and self-esteem by combining physical activity, healthy eating, and behavior change techniques. Over the course of 10 weeks, MEND aims to promote safe and effective weight management, fostering lasting lifestyle changes for participants and their families.
“Childhood obesity is a complex issue that requires a comprehensive approach,” said Dr. Rachel Johnson, a leading expert in nutrition and public health. “Programs like MEND offer a valuable combination of physical activity, nutrition education, and behavior change strategies to address the multiple factors influencing weight management.”
MEND offers several variants tailored to different age groups. MEND 7-13 and MEND 2-5 cater to children within specific age ranges, while a newer program called Healthy Together focuses on children aged 6-13. Healthy Together is based on the MEND 7-13 model but incorporates simplified delivery and critical content, making it ideal for smaller groups and spaces.
The MEND programs consist of a series of meetings held over a designated period. MEND 7-13 involves meeting twice a week for 10 weeks, encompassing a total of 46 curriculum hours, including 17 hours dedicated to physical activity. The program also provides maintenance support for up to 2 years. On the other hand, MEND 2-5 entails meeting once a week for 10 weeks, with each 90-minute session including active play for children and parents, snack time material, and parent/caregiver group materials. Healthy Together follows a similar structure, with weekly meetings over 10 weeks and three modules covering nutrition and behavioral topics, parent sessions, and physical activity sessions.
To ensure accessibility, MEND programs are typically offered in community settings such as recreation centers, healthcare facilities, schools, YMCAs, and other suitable locations. Over the years, MEND programs have been implemented in seven countries, serving more than 130,000 people, primarily focusing on low-income audiences across various U.S. states.
The success of MEND and Healthy Together lies in their comprehensive intervention materials, empowering leaders and coaches to deliver the programs effectively. Each program provides leaders with manuals, resources, demonstration materials, and family learning materials. These resources engage both children and parents, offering essential information on nutrition, physical activity, and behavior change strategies. Handbooks and materials are available in both English and Spanish, promoting inclusivity and accessibility.
While MEND programs focus on empowering children and families, the “Healthy Weight and Your Child” program from the YMCA adopts a similar evidence-based approach. The program aims to educate families about healthy eating habits and physical activity, fostering positive changes for long-term wellness. Based on the MEND model, the program offers a series of 25 sessions, each lasting two hours, conducted over four months. The sessions engage both children and adults in facilitated activities, group discussions, and moderate-to-vigorous physical activities.
Studies evaluating the MEND programs have demonstrated positive outcomes. Children who participated in the MEND 7-13 program showed reduced body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference, increased physical activity levels and cardiovascular fitness, decreased sedentary behaviors, improved dietary intake, and elevated self-esteem and body image. With over 35 peer-reviewed scientific publications supporting its effectiveness, the MEND program continues to be a leading evidence-based intervention for childhood obesity.
While details about the “Healthy Weight and Your Child” program are still limited, it is clear that the program draws on the successes of the MEND model and offers families a structured and supportive environment to address childhood obesity.
As the prevalence of childhood obesity persists, programs like MEND and Healthy Weight and Your Child are crucial in equipping families with the knowledge, skills, and support necessary to combat this widespread issue. By promoting healthier habits, improving self-esteem, and fostering lasting behavior change, these programs hold the potential to make a significant impact on the health and well-being of children and families nationwide.