NEW ORLEANS - For the first time, children and teens across Southeast Louisiana will get to go to a state-of-the-art special weight loss program designed just for them.

For 18-years Dr. Melinda Sothern has worked with children who are part of the dangerous new epidemic.

Sothern developed Trim Kids – a program she developed after years of research with more than 100 scientific papers showing it works.

Now, because of a brand new collaboration with YMCA’s throughout the greater New Orleans area, Trim Kids is going to be available to everyone.

“It’s a home based program but the families come in once a week and they meet with individuals that are YMCA professionals that are trained in nutrition, physical activity and exercise and behavior modification,” Sothern said.

The 12-week program involves the whole family so everyone can learn and reinforce the new behavior at home.

“We do positive parenting, we teach them how to set limits, we teach them how to monitor their children’s behaviors,” Sothern said. “A lot of times one of the benefits of participating in Trim Kids is better grades at school… also a higher self esteem, lower depression.”

Those who go through the Trim Kids will have access to all of the YMCA’s swimming, youth sports and summer camp programs after their course.

The fee will be based on a sliding scale depending on income, but no one will be turned away.

There will be four, 12-week sessions of Trim Kids this year.

Classes will take place at several YMCA’s in Orleans, Jefferson, St. Charles and St. Tammany Parishes.