Shaping Families for the Future

The SHAPEDOWN® Clinic at The Children’s Hospital includes a 10-week group program followed by two years of support services.

A multidisciplinary team of clinical social workers, certified therapeutic recreation specialists and a registered dietitian work together to educate families about the prevention of diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

“Eighty percent of children lose weight by the end of the 10 weeks, and 60 percent of the children who continue the program for one year lose weight as well,” said Marilyn Day, MS, RD, co-director of preventive programs at The Children’s Hospital’s Heart Institute.

A family effort

In order to create a healthy lifestyle, parents and children need to be able to work together.

“The parents’ job is providing healthy food, being good role models, arranging activities the child likes to do and lending positive encouragement,” Day said. “The children are in charge of the choices they make and being more aware of what they need, both physically and emotionally.”

Learn more about the SHAPEDOWN Clinic