Bright Bodies is a 12-week program affiliated with Let’s Go! that uses the Smart Moves™ curriculum which has been shown in studies to improve health. It is a healthy lifestyle and family approach for children ages 6-17 who have extra weight or obesity. Children and their families will learn about food intake and activity levels, while gathering concrete skills to promote healthier behaviors and lifestyles along with building self-esteem, confidence and strengthening family dynamics.
Why Bright Bodies?
Bright Bodies was developed at Yale Medical Center. Research has shown that intensive lifestyle programs like Bright Bodies can positively affect health outcomes, including lowering BMI, decreasing risk of developing diabetes and impacting positive change in self-esteem.
American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all children 6 and older who have extra weight or obesity should be offered intensive lifestyle programs. Bright Bodies supports MaineHealth’s vision of working together so our communities the healthiest in America.
Who qualifies for the program?
Children must meet the following requirements:
- Ages 6-17 years old
- Have extra weight or obesity, as measured by BMI over 85th percentile (Bright Bodies team can help determine this for parents)
- Have a parent/caregiver available to attend sessions
How do I get get started?
- Patients may refer a child by calling 207-670-8378 or emailing brightbodies@mainehealth.org
- Providers may refer through EPIC - Ambulatory referral to Intensive Health Behavior and Lifestyle Therapy, REF 10041 AMB
Program Overview
Bright Bodies is offered by MaineHealth and Let’s Go! in Portland and Norway, Maine.
South Portland
MaineHealth Weight Management South Portland
41 Donald B Dean Drive, Suite A
South Portland, ME 04106
Norway
Ripley Medical Office Building
193 Main Street
Norway, Maine 04268
Exact days and times will be shared with participants but session timing is:
- Summer 2024
- Fall 2024
- Winter 2025
- Spring 2025
- Summer 2025
Smart Moves™ consists of four key components:
Nutrition Education - The program teaches better food choices and appropriate portion sizes for best long-term results. Dieting is not recommended since it encourages short-term changes and does not generally lead to permanent success. Health training specialists teach all nutrition-related topics (40-minute class). Parents and caregivers are encouraged to join all nutrition-related classes since they do the grocery shopping and cooking and are a role model for the family.
Behavior Modifications - Children will become more aware of overeating triggers and ultimately learn ways to cope with such triggers. The program carefully works on maintaining or developing a positive self-concept. Health training specialists facilitate this portion of the program (40-minute class) and use the Smart Moves™ Workbook as a reference. Parents and caregivers are discouraged from attending these class topics since the children partake in more frank discussions without a parental figure present.
Physical Activity - In addition to improving eating behaviors, the program’s goal is to increase children’s physical activity level. Activity promotes weight loss and, later, helps maintain weight. Children are encouraged to exercise 30 to 40 minutes five times per week. The program offers two, 50-minute, moderate, cardiovascular workouts each week of the program. Health training specialists supervise the exercise component. The Bright Bodies Program uses active games to offer an array of activity choices for children.
Parent/Caregiver Classes - Parents/caregivers will learn how to be role models by promoting healthy behavior changes in the family environment. This component takes a solution-focused approach and encourages caregivers to be mindful of the whole child, and to increase the identification of the positive characteristics of the child. These classes provide support for parents/caregivers and an opportunity to discuss challenges and celebrate successes with other parents/caregivers.
Bright Bodies is currently being offered by MaineHealth and Let’s Go! at no cost to families who qualify for the program.
A parent or caregiver must attend two in-person classes with their child each week for 12 weeks. A virtual option may be offered as well.
Currently, we are able to deliver the program in English only.
Christine Peura
- TitleHealth Training Specialist
- Location where you teach Bright BodiesNorway and South Portland
- Why are you involved in Bright BodiesI am involved in Bright Bodies because I enjoy working with children and teens AND I like to share my knowledge about movement, behavior and nutrition with them. I think being part of a community is so helpful when it comes to learning, and I hope I can help make the Bright Bodies program a fun community for the kids and their families.
- What is the most rewarding part of teaching this programIt’s really great to see the kids get excited about goals they accomplished or changes they made.
- Why do you recommend the program to children and their familiesI think Bright Bodies is a fun and playful way to learn about moving your body – it’s not just about going to the gym or playing sports, you can do so many different things with your body! I also think Bright Bodies provides nutrition education in a non-judgmental, compassionate, and objective way that is different from a lot of other programs focused on nutrition.
- Interesting fact about yourself you’d want others to knowI hiked up a volcano in Nicaragua and then rode a toboggan down it. On the way down, I accidently crashed into my friend and got ash burns on my leg. Everyone was fine and we laughed but it is memory I will never forget.
Alyson Poland, LCSW, LADC
- TitleProject Manager
- Location where you teach Bright BodiesNorway and South Portland
- Why are you involved in Bright BodiesI have a behavioral health background and what drew me to Bright Bodies was the incorporation of nutrition, activity, self-esteem, and behavior change components. I also love how the program encourages family participation- which is key when you are trying to make new changes to activity and lifestyle.
- What is the most rewarding part of teaching this programThe kids and the families- they are always teaching me something new. It’s exciting watching their growth over the course of the program. I love hearing how they take information from the program and try it at home. We really get to know each other and develop our own “Bright Bodies Family.” During activities, everyone cheers each other on. Going to the program is one of the best parts of my day.
- Why do you recommend the program to children and their familiesBright Bodies will give you all of the tools and skills that you need to make lifestyle changes in a fun and supportive environment. Each week we teach these skills in fun and exciting ways! We’ve made smoothies with a blender bike, grew herbs to try new flavors, and used fruit to flavor water. Each week we play creative games and find new ways to get active.
- Interesting fact about yourself you’d want others to knowI love to cook and bake - I’m always looking for new recipes to try.
Guy Pollino
- TitleHealth Training Specialist
- Location where you teach Bright BodiesNorway
- Why are you involved in Bright BodiesI have always worked with children and young adults in athletic and activities, and I was drawn to the idea of the wholistic approach to a healthy lifestyle, and especially the caregiver involvement.
- What is the most rewarding part of teaching this programSeeing our participants grow in their self-confidence and self-esteem.
- Why do you recommend the program to children and their familiesBecause it considers many aspects of developing a healthy lifestyle, and not just focused on "eating better" or "exercising more".
- Interesting fact about yourself you’d want others to knowThat Bright Bodies has continued to motivate me in my active lifestyle, and each session our participants teach me valuable lessons about motivation and resilience.
Bright Bodies: A Healthy Lifestyle Program for Children
Contact Us
Email: brightbodies@mainehealth.org
Phone: 207-670-8378