Children and their families are guided through every step of the program by a doctor, dietitian and nurse educator.

The program's success speaks for itself. Of the last 100 children who went through the program, 93 percent lost weight. Their average BMI range also dropped from 34.5 to 32.3 in the first eight weeks.

About the HealthyKids Program

The HealthyKids Wellness and Weight Management program at CAMC consists of three tracks that vary in length and intensity. After an initial consultation, the doctor and family chooses which track best suits their needs: a consult track that involves just a few visits; a monthly track that includes meeting with a doctor, dietitian, and nurse educator in addition to weekly weigh-ins; or an intensive one-year multidisciplinary track that includes weekly visits, group nutrition and exercise sessions and weekly weigh-ins.

Participants have an individual responsibility to set their own goals and work toward them. They fill out nutritional food logs, physical activity logs, look at food labels and participate in exercise programs designed specifically for them.

Hannah - success story from HealthyKids Program.

HealthyKids Success Story - Hannah

Hannah lost 19 pounds and 5 inches from her waist and lowered her BMI from 28.08 to 23.7. This resulted in her reversing pre-diabetes without any medication.

“This program has been a blessing to us,” said Hannah’s mom, Lisa. “We have been able to change many of our unhealthy habits and are seeing the results. Because we cook meals more, we actually sit down to dinner as a family much more than we used to. I have learned that it takes all of us to make the program work.”

Seth - success story from HealthyKids program.

HealthyKids Success Story - Seth

Seth has participated in HealthyKids for four years and lowered his BMI from 29.8 to 26. More importantly, he stabilized his fatty liver disease.

“HealthyKids is great!” said Seth’s mom, Melissa. “My son had been diagnosed with liver disease called NASH. This program helped with diet and exercise to treat it. It has taught my son to eat healthy, read labels and learn about portion control. Seth learned that eating healthy and exercising will keep his liver healthy."

Nessa - success story from HealthyKids program.

HealthyKids Success Story - Nessa

Nessa reached a healthy BMI at 24.2 from a BMI of 29.1 in eight short months. She is most excited about shopping for new clothes!

“Besides the weight loss, it has changed her personality,” said Nessa’s dad, Eddy. “She is a lot more motivated and has a lot more self-esteem. It is almost like having a different daughter. I would recommend HealthyKids to any parent if they are concerned with their child’s eating habits. As a family we are being more mindful of what we eat and how we prepare our meals.”

Rachel - HealthyKids Success Story

HealthyKids Success Story - Rachael

After eight weeks of HealthyKids, Rachael lowered her BMI from 26 to 24.4 and decreased her triglycerides by 51 points and her cholesterol by 40 points into the normal range.

“When I was 11 years old, I was insulin resistant and borderline diabetic, so I knew changes needed to be made,” Rachael said. “In HealthyKids, I lost weight, learned how whole real foods make me feel better, and realized that food should not be a reward – it is simply to nourish our bodies. I also learned how to exercise while having fun. I am now a sophomore Human Nutrition & Foods major at West Virginia University. When asked, 'Why do you want to be a dietitian?’ I share my story about HealthyKids.”

Healthy Breakfast and Lunch Box Ideas for Kids

Healthy and easy meal ideas for kids.

1 scrambled egg
2 slices turkey bacon
Fresh orange
1 cup skim milk

1 whole grain waffle drizzled with 1 tablespoon peanut butter
½ c canned peaches (packed in water)
1 cup skim milk

egg and cheese Breakfast Burrito (whole grain tortilla)
1 cup fresh grapes
1 cup skim milk

1 cup oatmeal (sweetened with non-nutritive sweetener or low sugar instant variety)
1 cup fresh strawberries
1 hard-boiled egg

1 scrambled egg
1 cup whole grain cereal (with less than 6 grams of sugar)
½ cup skim milk
1 hard-boiled egg
1 cup fresh strawberries

1 ham and egg “boat”
1 cup skim milk
1 cup fresh grapes

6 ounces lite yogurt (any flavor)
1 cup fresh berries
1 slice whole grain toast

½ cup cottage cheese
½ cup pineapple or peaches (packed in water)
6 whole grain crackers

1 veggie omelet with low fat cheese and spinach (substitute any veggie)
1 cup fresh melon
1 cup skim milk

1 slice whole wheat toast with 1 tablespoon peanut butter
6 ounces lite yogurt (any flavor)
1 fresh pear

1 low fat granola bar
1 piece of low fat string cheese
1 fresh banana

Apple and peanut butter wrap (1/2 medium fresh apple, 1 T peanut butter and whole grain wrap)
6 ounces lite yogurt (any flavor)
1 fresh pear

½ whole grain English muffin with scrambled egg and low fat cheese
1 fresh apple

½ whole grain pita, toasted, stuffed with 2 ounces ham and low fat cheese
1 fresh banana

Need ideas for a healthy lunch that is low in calories but a good source of protein? Try these out on your children for a healthier lunch box:

Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich Box Lunch

  • 1 TBS Peanut Butter and 1 TBS Jelly on 1 slice of whole wheat bread
  • ¾ cup broccoli with 1 TBS light ranch dressing
  • ½ cup peaches
  • 1 string cheese
  • 1 cup skim milk

Analysis: Calories 447, Fat 20 gms, Carbohydrates 49 gms, Protein 21 gms

Turkey Wrap Box Lunch

  • Turkey Wrap with 2 oz. turkey, 2 oz. lettuce, 1 oz. of a 2% shredded cheese and 2 tsp. light ranch on 1 flour tortilla
  • 6 oz vegetable soup
  • ½ cup grapes
  • 8 oz. water

Analysis: Calories 438, Fat 16 gms, Carbohydrates 43 gms, Protein 26 gms

Roast Beef Pita Box Lunch

  • Roast Beef 2 oz. with 1 slice of Swiss cheese, and 2 tsp. light mayo on a whole wheat pita
  • ¾ cup carrots
  • ½ cup apple slices
  • 8 oz. sugar free lemonade

Analysis: Calories 432, Fat 13 gms, Carbohydrates 68 gms, Protein, 16 gms

Peanut Butter and Banana Sandwich Box Lunch

  • Peanut Butter/Banana – ½ of a small banana with 1 TBS Peanut Butter on 1 slice of whole wheat bread
  • ¾ cup celery sticks
  • 1 string cheese
  • ½ cup cantaloupe
  • 8 oz. water

Analysis: Calories 356, Fat 16 gms, Carbohydrates 45 gms, Protein 15 gms

Mini-hero with Turkey Box Lunch

  • Mini-hero made with 1 slice of turkey bologna, 1 slice 2% American cheese, 2 tsp. mustard, 1 slice tomato, and 2 oz. lettuce on a whole wheat hot dog bun
  • ¾ cup cauliflower
  • ½ cup mixed fruit
  • 8 oz. water

Analysis: Calories 391 , Fat 15 gms, Carbohydrates 50 gms, Protein 25 gms

    Peanut Butter Sandwich and Soup Box Lunch

    Peanut Butter 1 TBS on 1 slice of whole wheat bread

    • 6 oz. tomato soup
    • ½ cup grapes
    • 8 oz. sugar-free Kool Aid

    Analysis: Calories 308, Fat 12 gms, Carbohydrates 47 gms, Protein 12 gms

    Ham Wrap Box Lunch

    • Ham shaved 2 oz. on a flour tortilla with 1 oz. lettuce, 1 oz of 2% cheddar cheese, 2 tsp. light ranch, 1 slice of tomato
    • ¾ cup sliced cucumbers
    • ½ banana
    • 8 oz. skin milk

    Analysis: Calories 483, Fat 17 gms, Carbohydrates 352 gms, Protein 33 gms

    Roasted Chicken Breast Sandwich Box Lunch

    • Roasted chicken breast 2 oz., with 2 oz. lettuce, 1 tsp. light mayo, on 1 slice of whole wheat bread
    • ¾ cup green and red bell peppers
    • ½ cup strawberries
    • 1 string cheese
    • 8 oz. sugar free lemonade

    Analysis: Calories 337, Fat 12 gms, Carbohydrates 33 gms, Protein 28 gms

    Pizza-dilla Box Lunch

    • Pizza-dilla make with 1 flour tortilla, 2 TBS mozzarella part skim shredded cheese, 1 TBS chopped tomatoes, 1 TBS green pepper, and 1 TBS of pizza sauce
    • ¾ cup broccoli
    • ½ cup peaches
    • 8 oz. skim milk

    Analysis: Calories 358, Fat 9 gms, Carbohydrates 50 gms, Protein 25 gms

    Tuna Dippers Box Lunch

    • Tuna Dippers made with 3 oz. of canned tuna, 1 TBS light mayo, and 7 whole wheat crackers
    • ¾ cup carrot sticks
    • ½ cup pineapple
    • 8 oz. water

    Analysis: Calories 368 gms, Fat 11 gms, Carbohydrates 45 gms, Protein 26 gms