The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends family healthy weight programs (FHWPs) as multi-component behavioral interventions to help treat childhood obesity. This page contains CDC-recognized FHWPs that are evidence-based and ready to be implemented in health care, community, or public health settings.
FHWPs are comprehensive, family-based lifestyle change programs. They help children with overweight or obesity make progress toward a healthier weight through positive behavior changes. FHWPs are safe, effective treatments that are designed for children and their families or caregivers. FHWPs are also known as intensive health behavior and lifestyle treatment programs.
Several national organizations, including the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) and the American Psychological Association, recommend FHWPs to help treat childhood obesity. American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that clinicians refer children ages 2 to 18 years with overweight or obesity to family-based programs with a minimum of 26 contact hours.
In addition to reducing or stabilizing a child's weight or body mass index (BMI), some studies reported that FHWPs:
CDC-recognized FHWPs meet the screening criteria below. The programs are packaged to be ready-to-use and intended for rapid dissemination. They can be used in health care, community, or public health settings. This list of evidence-based programs is a resource for healthcare payers and systems, and clinical or community practitioners.
This list is not exhaustive. It will be updated periodically. For more information, please contact PHHT@cdc.gov.
For families with children aged 2 to 13 years who have overweight or obesity.
MEND combines physical activity, healthy eating, and behavior change to encourage safe, effective weight management and lasting lifestyle changes. MEND is appropriate for many settings, including schools, recreation centers, and community-based organizations.
For families with children aged 7 to 13 years who have obesity.
The curriculum for Healthy Weight and Your Child is adapted from MEND and implemented at participating YMCA locations. The program engages children and adults in nutrition education and physical activity to elicit positive change and to help families learn skills for healthier lifestyles. The program consists of 25 2-hour sessions delivered over 4 months.
For families with children aged 7 to 18 years who have overweight or obesity.
Smart Moves combines nutrition education, behavior modification, physical activity, and parental/caregiver support. The goals are to nurture children's self-esteem and healthful behaviors while improving body mass index, body composition, and insulin resistance. The 12-week program includes two 45-minute exercise sessions and one 40-minute nutrition or behavior modification session weekly. This program was evidence-tested as Bright Bodies at Yale University.
For families with children aged 2 to 18 years who have overweight or obesity.
Healthy Weight Clinic is conducted in the primary care setting. It focuses on achieving positive behavior change, setting goals, managing obesity-related conditions, and linking families to community resources. Participants receive at least 30 contact hours over 12 months, including:
For families with children and young adults aged 2 to 20 years who have overweight or obesity.
FBT emphasizes healthy eating, physical activity, and positive parenting. The goal is to empower families to practice new behaviors in a variety of settings to sustain healthy changes. FBT can occur in person or virtually, in a group setting, and through individual sessions with the child and parent or caregiver. FBT is delivered over at least 26 hours.
For families with children aged 6 to 12 years who have obesity.
Building Healthy Families is tailored for people living in areas with less than 50,000 residents. Building Healthy Families works with families, especially children, to identify healthier food choices, modify unhealthy behaviors, and increase physical activity. The program consists of 2-hour weekly sessions (12 total) over 3 months, with 6 refresher sessions up to 1 year.
All CDC-Recognized FHWPs meet the screening criteria below.
Evidence for CDC-recognized family healthy weight programs is from a peer-reviewed study that was:
Also, to meet CDC criteria, the evidence must have:
CDC-recognized family healthy weight programs meet AAP's recommendation for dose and intensity to provide 26 or more contact hours over 3 to 12 months. The recognized programs also:
CDC-recognized family healthy weight programs:
Potential Activities
Activities that state and local organizations can do to assess gaps in access to family healthy weight programs, coordinate supports, and prepare for implementation of these programs.
Resources and Definitions
Tools for professional development and insurance plan reviews. Definitions of childhood obesity treatment, equitable implementation, and other key terms.
Healthcare Strategies
National guidelines, tools, and other resources for healthcare-related entities.
