Become a Licensee

It’s no secret that America’s children are facing a health crisis caused by an unprecedented obesity epidemic.

● “In the last 20 years, those who work in the field say obesity has become the most prevalent chronic health problem among American children.” (New York Times, Aug. 26, 2003)

● The percentage of seriously overweight children more than doubled from 7% in 1976-1980 to 15% in 1999-2000. By 2004, the percentage of seriously overweight children ages 6 – 11 increased to a staggering 18.8%.

● Nine million children ages 6 through 19 in America are seriously overweight or obese.

● “Childhood obesity is like a massive tsunami headed toward the United States,” says David Ludwig, director of the obesity program at Children’s Hospital in Boston.

● “Obesity is not going to kill our children tomorrow, but in terms of a threat to long-term health, obesity affects more children than any other disease,” adds Naomi Neufeld, founder and Medical Director of KidShape.

Childhood obesity is like the weather. Everybody is talking about it, but no one seems to be able to change the situation.

KidShape is a uniquely successful program

1.  KidShape’s curriculum is updated annually based on feedback from participating families and instructors who implement the program. 

2.  The KidShape curriculum is updated by a team of health professionals and professional curriculum devleopers. 

3.  KidShape provides on-site training for your instructors.
 
4.  KidShape provides on-going support to make sure your instructors have all the tools they need to implement a successful program.

5.  KidShape is available in English and Spanish.

We're committed to your success.

Be part of the solution with the KidShape License Program!

KidShape is a nine-week fun-filled program that produces scientifically proven successful results. KidShape provides a turnkey program and the support you need to insure success.

• On-site staff training

• In-depth instructor manuals

• Class materials

• Each family receives a family kit with tools to help build a healthy family.

• On-going support from KidShape

• Built-in quality assurance program

• On-going data collection and analysis

Our licensees have said, “KidShape is the best program of its kind in the country for dealing with the problem of childhood obesity” and “KidShape is the gold standard.”

KidShape has a proven track record of helping kids to lose weight and to keep it off. In the last 20 years we have helped more than 12,000 children and teens. 87% of them have lost weight and 80% of those who lost weight kept it off for at least two years. In addition, a study cited at the Academic Pediatric Society reported that children completing the KidShape program showed a

● 50% decrease in television time

● 30% decreased intake of fats and sweets

● 500% increase in exercise

A 2003 study published in a supplement to the Journal of American Dietetic Association, August, 2004, reported on 407 overweight children and their families in 13 community-based KidShape sites in Southern California and recorded

● Decrease in BMI

● Decrease in television time

● Decrease in high fat/high sugar food consumption

● Decrease in fruit-flavored drink consumption

● Increase in vegetable consumption

● Increase in physical activity

● Increase in self-esteem

Why does KidShape work so well?

● KidShape is fully committed to the entire family, not just the overweight child.

● KidShape advocates a strategy of self defense in a health-hostile world, recognizing that families must cope with real world pressures.

● KidShape was developed by and continues to be led by Naomi Neufeld, M.D., one of the nation’s pioneers in treating diabetes and childhood obesity.

● KidShape believes learning should be fun.

• Interactive games

• Cooking demonstrations

• Minimal “sit-down” discussion

• Rewards and prizes that keep families motivated and returning to classes

• Skill building, non-competitive physical activity

● KidShape uses effective behavior modification tools

• Contracting

• Self-monitoring

• Role modeling

• Positive reinforcement

● KidShape employs only degree certified instructors in nutrition and mental health and expert physical education trainers.

● KidShape’s curriculum is deliberately engineered to adapt the latest scientific advancement and societal changes in America.

● Kidshape is dedicated to delivering culturally competent, multilingual classes that reflect and celebrate the diversity of American families.

What are the benefits of the Kidshape program for the participant?

• increased self-esteem

• healthier eating habits

• a more physically active lifestyle

• improved ability to deal with teasing

• weight stabilization or decreased rate of weight gain

• Body Mass Index (BMI) improvement

• Lowered blood pressure

• Increased stamina

• Increased family unity

What happens during the nine weeks of KidShape classes?

KidShape is a family affair! At least one parent or guardian is required to attend each class with the child. Many family members report that after participating in the KidShape program they have lost weight and feel better themselves. KidShape classes are held once a week for nine weeks. Each class lasts two hours and fifteen minutes and is divided into three parts.

• Part 1. A Registered Dietitian teaches adults and kids together how to eat healthier and lose weight.

• Part 2. Adults and children meet separately to discuss with a mental health professional how to change old habits. The support participants receive from other parents and kids is as important as what the instructors say.

• Part 3. The adults have an opportunity to discuss more specific questions, while the kids participate in 30 minutes of continuous fun aerobic exercise. During two of the nine weeks the adults exercise with the students.

At home, each family . . .

• Exercises. Each child spends an hour a day in physical activity. At least three times a week the adult and child spend 30 minutes in physical activity together.

• Eats healthy. Each child sets his or her own goals on what changes to make in eating habits and KidShape instructors show them how.

• Keeps a food journal.

The first step to changing how one eats is to realize what you are eating now. KidShape instructors give individual feedback on eating habits. KidShape supplies the materials to help the families.

• Adult Workbook

• Student Workbook

• KidShape Health Tracker

• Restaurant eating guide

• Mirror motivator

• Graduation certificate

• KidShape T-Shirt

• Incentive prizes (e.g. water bottle and jump rope)

If you are ready to get serious about helping families with overweight children in your community and want to know about costs and how to get started, click here.