Center for Healthy Eating and Activity Research
Child and Adolescent Treatment Programs

Compassion and state-of-the art interventions make a healthy lifestyle a reality!

At the Center for Healthy Eating and Activity Research, each of our programs teaches children, adolescents and their families healthy eating habits, ways to increase physical activity, and how to organize the home to promote sustainable weight loss.

CURRENT STUDIES

programs for children

Multiple studies starting soon

please submit your info to be put on the list to be contacted

FRESH-A
(Family, Responsibility, Education, Support and Health for Autism)

Ages: 6-12

The FRESH-A study is a telehealth program for parents of children ages 6-12 with autism and overweight or obesity that focuses on developing healthier eating and activity behaviors. The no-cost treatment program is 6-months and only parents attend weekly groups. 

In the FRESH-A program:

  • Parents will learn about changing their child (and families) diet and physical activity, which can turn into longer-term habits.

  • Provide additional parenting skills to help organize, plan and problem-solve around these new behavior changes for your family.

 

Parents will receive information from experienced interventionists and be compensated for their time and effort. If you would like to learn more about our study, please contact us and find out if you are eligible!

FRESH-EF
(Family, Responsibility, Education, Support & Health for Executive Function)

Ages: 8-12

The FRESH-EF study is a program for parents of children ages 8-12 with ADHD and overweight or obesity. Parents only will participate in a 5-month remote group treatment program to help their children develop healthy eating and exercise behaviors.

For most of our participants, families have been told to change their “nutrition and physical activity,” but they are not told “how” to do it. In the FRESH-EF program we

  • Help parents and families teach their children how to make these changes and turn them into longer-term habits.
  • Provide additional skills to help organize, plan and problem solve around these new behavior changes for you and your child.

In the FRESH-EF study parents receive information from experienced interventionists who provide information to develop healthy eating habits, ways to increase physical activity, and how to organize the home to promote sustainable weight loss. Both parents and children will complete 3 assessment visits over the course of the 8 months of the study and will be compensated for their time and effort.

Ready to learn more and see if you qualify?

FRESH-LC
(Family, Responsibility, Education, Support and Health for Latino Caregivers)

Ages: 5-12

The FRESH-LC study is a program for parents and caregivers of children ages 5-10 with overweight that focuses on developing healthier eating and activity behaviors. Two caregivers will participate in a no-cost 6-month virtual treatment program either in English or Spanish. Caregivers include, but are not limited to, parents, grandparents, aunts/uncles, and family friends. Children will not participate in treatment sessions.

In the FRESH-LC program we:

  • Help Latino families teach their children how to make these changes and turn them into longer-term habits.
  • Provide additional parenting and communication skills to help organize, plan and problem-solve around these new behavior changes for your family.

Families will receive information from experienced interventionists and be compensated for their time and effort. If you would like to learn more about our study, please contact us and find out if you are eligible!

programs for adolescents

PREVIOUS STUDIES

FRESH Teen

Ages: 13-16

The FRESH-Teen program is a six month, no-cost behavioral weight loss treatment program for adolescents ages 13-16 with overweight and obesity and their participating parent. Our supportive group therapy focuses on weight-loss, strategies for healthy and sustainable lifestyle habits, and skills for effective parenting. This study is being conducted in connection with researchers at the University of Minnesota.

For most of our participants, families have been told to change their “nutrition and physical activity,” but they are not told “how” to do it. In the FRESH Teen program:

  • We help parents and families teach their children how to make these changes and turn them into longer-term habits.
  • We focus on how to strengthen parent/child relationships in a positive manner and make them a “team” as part of the program.
  • We provide information and manuals and handouts that help them make nutrition and physical activity changes, as well as online resources to make this part of their lives.

Group sessions are conducted in evenings. There is no cost to participants and families are compensated for their time and effort. The entire duration of the study is 18 months. There will be no medications or medical treatments assigned.

Interested in learning more? Ready to see if you qualify? Take or quick survey.

FRESH-DOSE
(Family, Responsibility, Education, Support & Health—Dual Options for Sustained Effectiveness)

Ages: 7-12

The FRESH-DOSE study is a program for children ages 7-12 who struggle with overweight and obesity, and qualifying parent or guardian. The FRESH-DOSE program lasts six months and provides guided self-help and family-based behavioral therapy to help families develop healthy eating and exercise behaviors that can become healthy habits for life.

For most of our participants, families have been told to change their “nutrition and physical activity,” but they are not told “how” to do it. During the FRESH-DOSE program:

  • We help parents and families teach their children how to make these changes and turn them into longer-term habits.
  • We focus on how to strengthen parent/child relationships in a positive manner and make them a “team” as part of the program.
  • We provide information and manuals and handouts that help them make nutrition and physical activity changes, as well as online resources to make this part of their lives.

In the FRESH-DOSE study families receive information from experienced interventionists who provide children and their families with healthy eating habits, ways to increase physical activity, and how to organize the home to promote sustainable weight loss. Families also attend assessment appointments and will be compensated for their time and effort.

Ready to learn more and see if you qualify?

ReFRESH
(Reinforced Enhanced Family, Responsibility, Education, Support & Health)

Ages: 7-12

The ReFRESH study is a program for children ages 7-12 with overweight and obesity, and their qualifying parent or guardian. The ReFRESH program lasts six months and focuses on weight loss, healthy eating strategies, and skills for effective parenting and behavior management.

For most of our participants, families have been told to change their “nutrition and physical activity,” but they are not told “how” to do it. For the ReFRESH program:

  • We help parents and families teach their children how to make these changes and turn them into longer-term habits.
  • We focus on how to strengthen parent/child relationships in a positive manner and make them a “team” as part of the program.
  • We provide information and manuals and handouts that help them make nutrition and physical activity changes, as well as online resources to make this part of their lives.

Group sessions are conducted in the evenings at two convenient locations in San Diego County. Families also attend assessment appointments and will be compensated for their time and effort.

Not sure if you qualify? Take our quick survey and a representative will reach out to you.