Details about KidShape at the Pittsburg Health Center

What Is Kidshape?

KidShape is a family-based pediatric weight management program for families with overweight children, ages 6 to 14. KidShape was started in 1987 by Dr. Naomi Neufeld, a pediatric endocrinologist, who specializes in treating overweight kids and kids with diabetes. The goal of the program is to promote healthy lifestyles, including healthy eating, physical activity, and positive self-esteem, for entire families with overweight youth. The program is eight weeks long, divided into two 4-week series. KidShape conducts classes throughout Southern California at various community-based locations. The Pittsburg Health Center will be the first licensed site that offers this program in Northern California.

KidShape Program Details

Program Logistics:

Each enrolled family will attend two consecutive four-week series or 8 consecutive KidShape classes.
KidShape classes are held once a week. Each class is two hours long.
One parent/guardian is required to attend with each enrolled child.
Each new family will participate in a KidShape program orientation, which is held one hour before the regular KidShape class at the beginning of each four-week series.

KidShape Classes

Each KidShape class is divided into three periods, including:

Period 1: After school snack provided for the children, followed by nutrition education, taught by a registered dietitian, where families learn "hands on" how to eat healthy through fun activities.
Period 2: adult and student discussion groups, lead by a mental health professional, where adults and students can discuss many topics, such as self-esteem, motivation, school difficulties, and how to change behaviors.
Period 3: on-site 40 minutes of physical activity lead by a physical fitness expert. KidShape shows kids that exercise is fun. Activities can include: Hip Hop, Jump Rope, Martial Arts, Soccer, Volleyball, Salsa, Aerobics, Kick Boxing, and many other fun activities.

Does KidShape Work?

Yes. Since it began, KidShape has been proving its methods work.

87% of students lose weight within the 8-week KidShape program.
80% of students report that their weight loss continues 1.5 to 2.5 years after the KidShape program ends.

Entire families learn how to improve eating and physical activity habits, which has been shown to be the most effective method for treatment of overweight youth.

Why KidShape?

KidShape teaches and motivates entire families to eat healthy and improve physical activity.
KidShape improves self-esteem and helps kids feel good about themselves regardless of their size.
Each member learns fun ways to exercise, how to change eating behaviors and how to be a supportive team member.
KidShape has 14 years of experience in successful and safe treatment of overweight youth.

How can my family enroll?

Classes are available to Contra Costa Health Services patients and Contra Costa Health Plan members with overweight children ages 6 to 14. Please call 925-431-2362 for more enrollment information.

Who is on the KidShape team at the Pittsburg Health Center?

Our team is lead by Keith White, M.D. a pediatrician with Contra Costa Health Services. He brings to our team many years of expertise in the field of pediatrics and a passion for helping families achieve healthy lifestyles. Cynthia Golfus, R.D., is a registered dietitian with many years of experience in weight management clinics and adds to the team her experience in utilizing behavior modification in medical nutrition therapy in promoting healthy lifestyle changes. Bonnie Campbell, M.S.W., is a social worker with experience in counseling diverse populations including adults, teens, and children on various social issues. Laura Cobb is the team member with experience in working with children and young adults in the areas of general fitness, athletic enhancement, and sport-specific conditioning. She comes to us with lots of hands-on experience working with the YMCA. Together they are committed in leading the search for better health.

Funding for this project was made possible by a grant from the Los Medanos Healthcare District Board. KidShape in Pittsburg is the clinical intervention component of the NEW Kids Program, a comprehensive effort to prevent and treat childhood obesity in Contra Costa County.

Content provided by the The Community Wellness & Prevention Program of Contra Costa Health Services.