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

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Recent News

  • 2008 Parents Magazine Ranking December 29, 2008 Parents Magazine has recognized The Children’s Hospital as one of the United States’ top pediatric hospitals in its inaugural survey, “10 Best Children’s Hospitals.”
  • Wii Donation December 24, 2008 Heads turned as Amy and Bill Brown pulled three red wagons full of Nintendo Wii consoles and Wii games — wrapped with red bows — into The Children's Hospital. Read more about this donation story.
  • Holiday Hugs December 23, 2008 9News performed a live remote at Children’s on Dec. 12 to promote Holiday Hugs, an annual holiday event sponsored by Universal Lending with 27 patients and families from the Medical Day Treatment Center.
  • A Look Back on 2008 December 22, 2008 Read about the highlights and successes 2008 held for The Children's Hospital.
  • Adopt-A-School Book Drive December 19, 2008 The Children’s Hospital participated in book drives, one of its many special Adopt-A-School projects, at Paris and Montview elementary schools.

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