The WeighCool program allows online self-monitoring and manage- 
 ment of weight by children and teenagers, with limited background
 guidance/support from their healthcare provider or mentor.         

 What Children Learn
An online "school" teaches a child or teen why they become overweight, what are the health risks, and what are the steps needed to attain a healthy weight. Tips to avoid unhealthy eating, sedentary behavior, and emotional eating are also provided.

 Automated Self-Care (eCare)
A secure “eCare Area” allows self-monitoring and management of a child's weight, with provider/mentor guidance. Children set their goal weights and weight loss rate per week, in conjunction with provider/mentor input. A software "robot" provides interactive feedback to the children on their progress. An online community of several thousand overweight children and adolescents provides social interaction and peer support by means of bulletin boards, chat rooms, a community "weigh-in page", and online “weight-loss buddies”.

  Minimal Provider/Mentor Time Required
Healthcare providers, PE teachers, personal trainers, counselors, and other mentors may follow and interactively support their overweight children online via the secure eCare Area and a personal "eRoom" for each child. Optional pre-designed message templates and online management tools greatly leverage provider/mentor time, so that only a few minutes per week per child are actually required from the provider/mentor.  Digital photographs of the child and the provider/mentor can personalize the interactions, if desired.

 Electronic Accountability
A child may use a specially designed digital scale, called an "eScale" (wireless model shown at left, cabled version lower right), which connects to a computer in a school, clinic, or community center, or to the child's home computer. The eScale automatically sends the child's weight and comments to his/her individual online weight chart. (The advantage of the eScale is that it renders the child "electronically accountable", in that the weight value cannot be erroneously entered or changed).  The weight chart results may be viewed at anytime (via password) by the child/parents or by the child's healthcare provider/mentor. The provider/mentor may post support messages in the child’s secure “eRoom”.

 How does the WeighCool program work?

1) A school, clinic, health club, or healthcare practitioner contracts with WeighCool for use of the program by their overweight children and adolescents.  Free group trials and block subscriptions are available.

2) A private group is set up on the WeighCool site for the clinic, school, practitioner, etc.  That group's providers/mentors then register.  Next, that group's participating children and teens sign up under the group name, and select their provider/mentor from a list.

3) Healthy weight education is provided on the WeighCool site. The WeighCool program uses a “cognitive behavioral” approach. Kids learn the causes of overweight, associated health problems, motivation techniques, and the steps to attain a healthy weight.  The WeighCool program does not prescribe a particular diet or exercise regimen, and the provider/mentor remains in charge of the patient/client. The WeighCool program serves as an enhancement to a provider/mentor's weight loss regimen.

4) Wireless or cabled eScales are interfaced to computers in the school, clinic, or community center, or to home computers.  The eScale software is web-based, so that no installation disks are required.  Seven (7) days a week technical assistance is available.

5) Participants receive online support from the thousands of overweight kids who use the program.

6) A group's real time data and statistics are available (via password) in Excel spread sheet format, suitable for research studies.

For information or questions email: , or call 206-448-4414.