Mind, Exercise, Nutrition, Do It (MEND) is a NEW free program that will be offered in Swift Current in March 2017. MEND provides a fun exercise and nutrition program to local children at no cost. MEND is a family-based early intervention program for children aged 7 to 13 who have a BMI above the 85th percentile.
MEND is an internationally recognized obesity-prevention program with participants in the United Kingdom, Canada, Denmark, Australia, the United States and New Zealand. In 2012, the University of Saskatchewan launched its first MEND program for children in Saskatoon, with the support of the Saskatchewan Blue Cross and Community Initiatives Fund, and has since expanded to other communities in the province, including Prince Albert, Regina, and Moose Jaw. To date, over 1,000 children and parents have participated in the Saskatchewan program.
The MEND program gives parents and children education on nutrition, portion size, motivation and goal setting, and provides opportunities
to participate in physical activity to inspire healthy lifestyle changes and avoid or reverse obesity. Currently, almost one-third of Canadian children aged five to 17 are overweight or obese, according to Statistics Canada.
For more information on how to register for the MEND program starting this March view this MEND event poster.
