Kids N Fitness©
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are currently suspending all in-person classes.
If you are interested in a similar weight management program, please visit our Healthy Weight Clinic page.
Kids N Fitness© is an evidence-based, six-week weight management program for children ages 8-16 experiencing overweight and obesity and their parents. The 1.5 hour-weekly class consists of interactive nutrition education, physical activity, and parent seminars. The entire family is welcome and encouraged to attend. Kids N Fitness© was developed in 2000 to help meet the health needs of children and youth.
Program Goals
Our main goal is to prevent and reduce the complications stemming from childhood obesity by providing children and their families the tools necessary to lead a healthy lifestyle.
- Promote healthier eating habits and daily physical activity (whether you call it exercise or active play!)
- Provide support and motivation for families as they make incremental changes to foster a healthier lifestyle
- Reduce weight gain velocity
Our staff is experienced in providing engaging lessons for the entire family. Families that participate in the program will experience:
- Interactive nutrition lessons
- Grocery store tour
- Healthy cooking tips
- Health-related goal setting
- Personalized feedback
- Fun weekly incentives
Who Can Participate in Kids N Fitness
- Children with a BMI at or above the 85th percentile
- Age 8-16 years
- Able to ambulate and participate in vigorous physical activity for 45 minutes
- Children and teens with at least one parent/guardian who is willing to attend an orientation and all six classes with the child
Why a Child May Not Qualify for Our Program
- Children with medical conditions that do not allow them to be physically active
- Children with behavioral or developmental disabilities that may not focus in a group setting
- A medical clearance from primary care doctor is required
Research
As part of our ongoing investigation of program efficacy, we evaluate key health indicators such as participants’ body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage, blood pressure, waist circumference and nutrition knowledge.
Licensing
Kids N Fitness© has been successfully implemented in hospital, community and school settings. This program is available for license from Children's Hospital Los Angeles. Children's Hospital Los Angeles will provide instructor manuals (designed for health educators, teachers and dietitians) with complete curriculum, eight hours of training, sample of incentives and updates thereof for a two-year period. For information on licensing please reach out at bmanzanarez@chla.usc.edu or 323-361-8245.
Resources
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are currently suspending all in-person classes.
If you are interested in a similar weight management program, please visit our Healthy Weight Clinic page.
Publications
- Improvement in Risk Factors for Metabolic Syndrome and Insulin Resistance in Overweight Youth who are Treated with Lifestyle Intervention
- Feasibility of a Hospital-based, Family-Centered Intervention to Reduce Weight Gain in Overweight Children and Adolescents
- Kids N Fitness: A Group-based Pediatric Weight Management Curriculum Adapted for a Clinical Care Model
- Kids N Fitness Junior: Outcomes of an Evidence-Based Adapted Weight Management Program for Children Ages Three–Seven Years
- Lessons in Adapting a Family-Based Nutrition Program for Children With Autism
Other Resources
- United States Department of Agriculture
- Let’s Move
- My Plate
- Farmer’s Markets
- Food and Nutrition Information Center
- Children’s Hospital Los Angeles -- Good and Good for You Recipes
- Eatfresh
Related Video
Megan Lipton-Inga, Director of Kids N Fitness©, recently traveled to Boyle Heights to help educate the community about fitness.
More Video
Teaching children to read food labels
Upcoming Events
To be announced
