We Can!® (Ways to Enhance Children’s Activity & Nutrition) is a science-based, national education program developed by the National Institutes of Health – part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (U.S. DHHS) – to help children ages 8-13:

• Improve food choices
• Increase physical activity
• Reduce screen time (TV, computers, video games)

We Can! is unique among existing youth obesity-prevention initiatives in its focus on reaching parents and families as a primary group for influencing young people.

On November 29, 2007, Pittsburgh was designated a We Can! City by the National Institutes of Health. The We Can! Pittsburgh program empowers parents in western Pennsylvania with innovative resources to help their families maintain healthy lifestyles. UPMC Health Plan is working with the partners to develop We Can! programming focused on healthy eating and active lifestyles for the youth of western Pennsylvania.

We Can! was designed so local civic groups, parent groups, churches, and others can implement activities in their communities. We Can! reaches parents and caregivers in home and community settings with educational materials and activities, including a course for parents, a website, a parent handbook in both English and Spanish, science-based youth programs, nutrition and physical activity tip sheets, and community events and projects.

To date, more than 1,300 community sites in the United States have committed to use We Can! program materials and organize classes and events.

We Can!® Ways to Enhance Children’s Activity & Nutrition, We Can! and the We Can! logos are trademarks of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS).