YMCA child weight program starts Sept. 8; a parent must attend all 25 sessions

An Anchorage YMCA program asks the parents to come too, for all 25 sessions.

Healthy Weight and Your Child runs Tuesday evenings and some Thursdays from Sept. 8 through Feb. 2, and a parent or caregiver attends alongside their kid every time. Each night opens with an hour on portion sizes, food labels and family health goals. Then the children move into activities that may include weightlifting and swimming, while the caregivers meet separately.

The last half hour belongs to the kids. They teach back what they learned.

A light meal is served, and families who are traveling or sick can join online.

The program is free to YMCA members, and families who enroll get a reduced-cost membership that continues after the sessions end. It is open to children ages 7 to 13 with a body mass index at or above the 95th percentile who have medical clearance for physical activity.

Families leave with more knowledge about food, new activities to try and "an overall healthier attitude," said Erin Widener, the YMCA's community health director.