This program is for children who are 7 to 13 years old and are overweight or obese and their parents.

Mind, Exercise, Nutrition... Do It! (MEND) 7-13, a comprehensive family- and community-based behavioral modification program, is designed to prevent overweight and obesity in children and their families by promoting healthy eating and regular physical activity and improving self-esteem.

A randomized controlled trial was conducted in the United Kingdom. At 6 months, children in the intervention group had significantly lower waist circumferences, body mass index (BMI) scores, and fat mass compared to the control group. The intervention group also reported significant increases in time spent in physical activity and self-esteem, significant improvements in recovery heart rates after exercise, and significantly less time spent in sedentary activities. At 12 months, significant reductions in waist circumference, BMI, recovery heart rate, physical activity, and self-esteem remained. A separate follow-up study examined a random sample of participants who participated in the initial trial. Over 2 years later, this study found significant improvements were still present for children's body esteem, self-esteem, parental perception of emotional distress, and waist circumference. However, no differences were observed for BMI. In boys, BMI z-score, waist circumference z-score, and body and self-esteem were significantly improved. In girls, there were no statistically significant differences at 2.4 years, except for body esteem. A single-group study of the implementation of MEND 7-13 in British Columbia resulted in improvements in children’s BMI z-score, waist circumference, nutrition behaviors, physical activity levels, cardiovascular fitness, hours of screen time per week, and emotional distress at post-intervention.

The MEND 7-13 program promotes gradual, sustained lifestyle changes through the promotion of healthy eating, regular exercise, and behavior change. The program focuses on the following components:

• Mind – Build children’s sense of worth and provide support for families to help them make positive behavior changes regarding healthy eating and physical activity;
• Exercise – Encourage participants to engage in regular, enjoyable physical activity;
• Nutrition – Help families understand and practice healthy, nutritious eating; and
• Do it! – Support families and inspire them to be proactive in making positive changes as part of a healthy lifestyle.

Children and at least one parent attend sessions. The first half of each session is an interactive family workshop, which provides information on nutrition and behavior change. During the second half of the session, exercise specialists lead children in group exercise classes, and parents meet for support and discussion. Parents are provided with strategies and ideas for reading and understanding food labels; learning ways to reduce children’s screen time; and encouraging children to taste and enjoy different fruits, vegetables, and other healthy foods.

Healthy Together, an abbreviated version of MEND 7-13, is available for children ages 6 to 13 and their parents. Please visit https://healthyweightpartnership.org/what-we-offer/ to learn more.

MEND was developed in 2000 in the United Kingdom and programs have been adapted for use and evaluated in the United States, Australia, Canada, and the Netherlands. The extent to which MEND 7-13 has been implemented was not located.

Trained leaders with backgrounds in recreation, physical activity, and nutrition facilitate this program. All delivery teams are trained by MEND experts and are fully supported over the course of the programs. Please use details in the Contact section for more information.

Considerations for implementing this program include recruiting facilitators with a suitable background and ensuring they receive training, finding time and suitable space to hold program sessions, providing child care for siblings of participants, acquiring parental buy-in and commitment, and understanding the program may need to be suitably tailored to be more flexible and/or culturally relevant for different populations.

The Clearinghouse can help address these considerations. Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu

If you are interested in implementing MEND 7-13, the Clearinghouse is interested in helping you!
Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu

Two-hour sessions are held twice a week for 10 weeks and include 1-hour family sessions and 1-hour parent sessions. While the parents are meeting, children attend a 1-hour exercise session.

Program materials include all resources needed for implementation including a leader/coach manual, leader kits with resources, and family learning materials. Implementation costs are $215 per child. Please use details in the Contact section to learn more.

To move the MEND 7-13 program to the Effective category on the Clearinghouse Continuum of Evidence, at least one external evaluation must be conducted that demonstrates sustained, positive outcomes. This study must be conducted independently of the program developer.

The Clearinghouse can help you develop an evaluation plan to ensure the program components are meeting your goals. Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu

Contact the Clearinghouse with any questions regarding this program.
Phone: 1-877-382-9185 Email: Clearinghouse@psu.edu

You may also contact Healthy Weight Partnership, Inc. by mail 5158 Clareton Dr., Unit 2608, Agoura Hills, CA 91376, phone 1-818-879-0493 or visit https://healthyweightpartnership.org/contact-us/

https://snapedtoolkit.org/interventions/programs/mind-exercise-nutritiondo-it-mend-2/ and https://healthyweightpartnership.org/