IHBLT Program: JOIN for ME

JOIN for ME® is a CDC-recognized intensive health behavior and lifestyle intervention that is consistent with the USPSTF and American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations for the treatment of obesity in children. The curriculum was informed by principles from empirically supported family healthy weight programs and modified to reduce implementation cost and increase scalability. The program is delivered in a group setting to children and a primary caregiver. Key concepts of the 16-core sessions include: self-monitoring, reducing LESS foods (e.g., foods that are higher in fat and sugar with low nutritional value) and increasing YES! foods (i.e. nutrient dense foods such as fruits and vegetables), reducing screen time, increasing physical activity, and increasing social support. The program has been tested in both community and health care settings, is available in English and Spanish, and was recently adapted for remote delivery to children and families from low-income backgrounds. Program materials include:

• Training curriculum with interactive learning and embedded knowledge checks
• Detailed coach manual with sample scripts
• Participant manual with handouts
• Implementation blueprint

Delivery Location

The program can be delivered in both clinical and community-based settings. 

If Community-Based, Where?

Schools, faith-based orgs, etc.

The intervention has been delivered in person in recreational facilities and remotely to families recruited through low-income housing authorities.

Willingness to Connect with Medical Home

The program includes standardized communication to support coordination with a primary care provider.

Health Outcomes

Research on the JOIN for ME® program has shown clinically meaningful improvements in child weight status, child and family health behaviors, and child quality of life. Findings from an initial open trial that included in person program delivery demonstrated a 4.3% reduction in percent over median BMI as well as significant improvements in both child report and parent proxy reports of health-related quality of life. These improvements were retained at 18-month follow-up. In a subsequent randomized controlled trial, JOIN for ME® was compared to the curriculum combined with use of a video gaming program. Participants in both treatment conditions demonstrated significant reductions in weight status, with children who received the JOIN for ME® curriculum alone demonstrating a 5.5% decrease in percent over median BMI. The most recent implementation of the program, delivered remotely to families from low-income backgrounds, also demonstrated significant decreases in child weight status at 10 months, including reductions of: 2.90% in percent over median BMI, 3.89 %BMIp95, and 0.16 zBMI units. Significant improvements were also observed in child health-related quality of life and family health behaviors related to nutrition and activity.

Eligible Population

6-12 years of age

Length of Intervention

JOIN for ME® includes 16 weekly sessions followed by 8 booster sessions delivered on a monthly basis for a 12-month program 

Links/Contact Info

https://sites.brown.edu/joinforme/

Lead Contact

Elissa Jelalian or [email protected]

References

• Foster G, Sundal D, McDermott C, et al. Feasibility and Preliminary Outcomes of a Scalable, Community-based Treatment of Childhood Obesity. Pediatrics. 2012;130(4):652-9.
• Foster, G.D., Sundal, D., Lent, M.R., McDermott, C., Jelalian, E. and Vojta, D., 2014. 18‐month outcomes of a community‐based treatment for childhood obesity. Pediatric Obesity, 9(3), pp.e63-e67.
• Trost SG, Sundal D, Foster GD, et al. Effects of a pediatric weight management program with and without active video games: A randomized trial. JAMA Pediatrics. 2014;168(5):407-13.
• Jelalian E, Evans W, Darling KE, et al. Protocol for the Rhode Island CORD 3.0 Study: Adapting, Testing, and Packaging the JOIN for ME Family-Based Childhood Obesity Program in Low-Income Communities. Childhood Obesity. 2021;17(S1):S-11-S-21.
• Darling KE, Hayes JF, Evans EW, et al. Implementation of the JOIN for ME Program for Families from Low-Income Backgrounds: The Use of Theory-Driven Formative Evaluation: Rhode Island CORD 3.0. Childhood Obesity. 2021;17(S1):S-22-S-9.
• Darling KE, Hayes JF, Evans EW, et al. Engaging Stakeholders to Adapt an Evidence-Based Family Healthy Weight Program. Translational Behavioral Medicine. 2023;13(7):423-31.
• Jelalian E, Foster GD, Sato AF, et al. Treatment adherence and facilitator characteristics in a community based pediatric weight control intervention. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. 2014;11:17.
• Darling KE, Evans EW, Elwy AR, et al. Scaling and sustaining research tested interventions: Lessons learned from Rhode Island Childhood Obesity Research Demonstration 3.0. Translational Behavioral Medicine. 2024;14(8):472-8.
• Jelalian, E., Hayes, J., Darling, K.E., Seifer, R., Shepard, D.S., Grenga, A., Evans, W. and Elwy, A.R., 2025. Testing the JOIN for ME Program in Low-Income Communities: Rhode Island CORD 3.0. Childhood Obesity.