Mind, Exercise, Nutrition, Do It! (MEND)

Childhood Obesity Intervention Program

FREE childhood obesity intervention program for children, ages 7-13, and their parents starting on March 24 and March 31*.

The YMCA of Austin is the first YMCA in the country to partner with MEND (Mind, Exercise, Nutrition, Do It! in offering a childhood obesity intervention program for children and their parents.  Spring sessions of MEND will begin again on Saturday, March 24 and March 31 from eight locations.

* depending upon location

Winter '12 locations are:

• Andrews Elementary (map)
• Barrington Elementary (map)
• East Communities YMCA (map)
• Linder Elementary (map)
• Rodriguez Elementary (map)
• Sanchez Elementary or Kealing Middle (map)
• Science Hall Elementary in Hays County (map)
• Widen Elementary (map)

Programs at Andrews, Linder, Widen, and the new location will be delivered in Spanish. 

• Download Recruitment Flyer  
• Download Physical Evaluation Form

Through generous grants from St. David's Foundation and the RGK Foundation, the YMCA will be offering programs over the next year at eight different locations, including YMCA of Austin and community locations. Each program lasts 10 weeks and meets twice per week, typically a weekday evening and Saturday morning. Parents must attend with their child.

MEND combines three key elements of safe, effective weight management and sustained lifestyle change: healthy eating, regular physical activity, and behavior change. Children and families who attend the MEND Program learn important skills and knowledge to help them manage their weight and feel fitter, healthier, and happier for the rest of their lives.

Registration for the spring sessions of this FREE program are going on now. Children must be ages 8 - 12 for the East Communities YMCA program or 7-13 for other program locations, overweight or obese, and may not be suffering from diabetes or debilitating asthma. Physician consent must be granted before program participation. One parent must be able to participate with their child in each session. Call Missy or Alejandra (contacts) below to enroll.

News Clips

• News 8 Austin December 12, 2009
• Fox 7   September 23, 2010
• Austin American Statesman September 24, 2010
• Fox 7 March 31, 2011
• KEYE We Are Austin September 15, 2011 

Schedules

Spring 2012

Program Contacts

Alejandra Gonzalez alejandra.b.gonzalez@uth.tmc.edu or 482-6166

Missy Quintela missy.quintela@austinymca.org or 236-9622

Program Sponsors