According to the latest National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), an estimated 16.9% of children and adolescents aged 2-19 years in the United States are obese. To help combat this growing public health problem, the MEND Foundation, an independent non-profit organization dedicated to improving family health and fitness, is teaming up with the YMCA of the Pikes Peak Region to offer a healthy lifestyle program called the MEND (Mind Exercise Nutrition Do it!) 7-13 Program. The program is free of charge to participants, thanks to generous funding from The Colorado Health Foundation and Kaiser Permanente Colorado. Offered after school at the Southeast YMCA Tues and Thurs, The Downtown YMCA Tues and Sat, The Garden Ranch YMCA Mon and Wed and The Fountain Valley YMCA Tues and Sat, MEND 7-13 is a 10 week weight management course for overweight and obese children between 7 and 13 years old and their families. 
  Following the 10-week intensive program, participants are introduced to MEND World, a self-directed maintenance phase that helps families continue the healthy eating and physical activity behaviors they achieved while on the Program. Geared towards elementary and middle school age children and new to Colorado, the MEND 7-13 Program has achieved success in numerous diverse communities in states including Texas, California, New York and Washington, D.C. as well as internationally where it began.
   Shaunae Medina, Ian Ratz and Seth Houghton, Program Managers for the YMCA of the Pikes Peak Association ‘s MEND 7-13 Program said,  “The YMCA provides an ideal environment for a healthy lifestyle intervention program like MEND since children and their families are familiar with the Y and know we have a long history of providing quality health and fitness programs for children and their families.” Mrs. Medina, Mr. Ratz and Mr. Houghton, further add, “In the highly supportive environment at the YMCA, children and their parents can participate in the MEND 7-13 Program where families learn to make simple changes to help redirect their lives to a healthier path. Losing BMI and inches off the waist  through improved diet and fitness plus improved self esteem, are all possible with the MEND 7-13 Program.“