CDC-Recognized Family Healthy Weight Programs

At a glance

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.

Children playing

Background

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.

Benefits

In addition to reducing or stabilizing a child's weight or body mass index (BMI), some studies reported that FHWPs:

  • Reduced parent or caregiver weight.
  • Improved nutrition, physical activity, and associated behaviors.
  • Improved health-related quality of life, including self-esteem.
  • Improved metabolic markers, such as blood pressure and lipids.
  • Improved parental stress, self-efficacy, and quality of life. Self-efficacy is the belief in one's ability to succeed at something.

CDC-recognized 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.

Program screening criteria

All CDC-Recognized FHWPs meet the screening criteria below.
Adequate evidence
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:

  • Included primary study outcome(s) of at least one measure of weight or BMI, such as BMI, BMI z-score, or BMI percentile.
  • Demonstrated improvements in at least one outcome of BMI or weight status in youth aged 2 to 18 years.

Appropriate for childhood obesity

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:

  • Are intended for youth aged 2 to 18 years with:
    • Overweight (BMI at or above the 85th percentile for sex and age) or
    • Obesity (BMI at or above the 95th percentile for sex and age)
  • Include behavioral intervention
  • Are family-centered or use a family-based model
  • Include both nutrition and physical activity counseling

Ready for Immediate Use

CDC-recognized family healthy weight programs:

  • Are packaged for use in health care, community, or public health settings.
  • Have a standard curriculum that is part of broader package of implementation materials.
  • Have an online presence, such as a website or social media.
  • Include publicly available contact information for questions, additional information, or technical assistance.
  • Contain program materials available in English or Spanish.
  • Individual clinic visits (monthly)
  • Group sessions (monthly for the first 6 months)
  • Telephone check-ins (twice per month)
  • Optional health messaging (twice per week).

Program screening criteria

All CDC-Recognized FHWPs meet the screening criteria below.

Adequate evidence

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:

  • Included primary study outcome(s) of at least one measure of weight or BMI, such as BMI, BMI z-score, or BMI percentile.
  • Demonstrated improvements in at least one outcome of BMI or weight status in youth aged 2 to 18 years.

Appropriate for childhood obesity

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:

  • Are intended for youth aged 2 to 18 years with:
    • Overweight (BMI at or above the 85th percentile for sex and age) or
    • Obesity (BMI at or above the 95th percentile for sex and age)
  • Include behavioral intervention
  • Are family-centered or use a family-based model
  • Include both nutrition and physical activity counseling

Ready for Immediate Use

CDC-recognized family healthy weight programs:

  • Are packaged for use in health care, community, or public health settings.
  • Have a standard curriculum that is part of broader package of implementation materials.
  • Have an online presence, such as a website or social media.
  • Include publicly available contact information for questions, additional information, or technical assistance.
  • Contain program materials available in English or Spanish.

Resources

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.

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Content Source:
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (NCCDPHP)
  • nccdphp/index.htm