Pediatric Weight Solutions Program
We help children who are overweight or obese improve their health through a variety of strategies, including behavior and lifestyle modification. We understand that many factors can contribute to obesity, including genetics, diet, physical activity level, psychological issues, and adverse family events. Our team includes board-certified pediatric endocrinologists, advanced practice registered nurses, physician assistants, a registered dietitian, a bariatric surgeon, and an endocrinologist who specializes in diabetes and obesity management for adults and children. We work together to tailor treatment to each child and his or her family.
Seventeen percent of children ages 2 to 19 in the United States are obese, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While there is no cure for obesity, our caregivers work with children to prevent serious health complications that can accompany it, including:
- Prediabetes and type 2 diabetes
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
- High cholesterol
- Fatty liver disease
Our Services
When a child is referred to us—typically from a pediatrician—our first step is to do a full medical examination and check for obesity-related diseases and complications. We offer a traditional approach to weight loss through lifestyle changes, and incorporate the whole family into the process. We refer many children to Yale School of Medicine’s Bright Bodies Program in New Haven, which teaches children and their families about nutrition and encourages them to exercise.
If lifestyle and behavioral modifications are not successful, medications are a potential option for children 16 and older. Our last step, if necessary, would be bariatric surgery, also for children 16 and up. There are rigid protocols for the surgery, as well as pre- and post-surgical care. Once patients turn 21, we can seamlessly transition them into an adult program for weight management.
