U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

About We Can!®

Boy raising arms in the air

We Can! (Ways to Enhance Children's Activity & Nutrition) is a national movement designed to give parents, caregivers, and entire communities a way to help children 8 to 13 years old stay at a healthy weight.

Research shows that parents and caregivers are the primary influence on this age group. The We Can! national education program provides parents and caregivers with tools, fun activities, and more to help them encourage healthy eating, increased physical activity, and reduced time sitting in front of the screen (TV or computer) in their entire family.

We Can! also offers organizations, community groups, and health professionals a centralized resource to promote a healthy weight in youth through community outreach, partnership development, and media activities that can be adapted to meet the needs of diverse populations. Science-based educational programs, support materials, training opportunities, and other resources are available to support programming for youth, parents, and families in the community.

Four Institutes of the National Institutes of Health have come together to bring you We Can!. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, in collaboration with the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseasesexternal disclaimer, the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Developmentexternal disclaimer, and the National Cancer Instituteexternal disclaimer, has combined the unique resources and activities of these institutes to make We Can! a national success.

For Parents, Families, & Caregivers

We Can! provides helpful information and dozens of valuable resources for your family, including tips, worksheets, and tools, all designed to help your family stay healthy. Learn more about healthy weight basics and how to help your family eat right, get active, and reduce screen time.

For Partners

Organizations are helping spread We Can! programming and materials from coast to coast, from North to South, and to various points around the world. They include corporations, national organizations, professional societies, and communities across the nation that are playing an active role in creating healthier hometowns with We Can!.

For Health Professionals

Many families look to their family physician, pediatrician, or other health care professional for instructions on how to help their children adopt healthier habits. Visit the For Health Professionals section of this website to find practical tips about healthier lifestyles.

For Media

Visit the News & Events section for the latest We Can! news, you will also find press releases, public service announcements, matte articles, a news archive, spokesperson biographies, and contact information.

Last updated: August 26, 2014