Weight Management at The Children's Hospital

The Children’s Hospital offers the region’s leading pediatric weight management programs. Each of the treatment options is aimed at meeting the needs of overweight pediatric patients through a family-centered care approach. A primary goal of each clinic includes providing kids and families the opportunity to receive education and support in order to make life-long changes. The following descriptions will help you to understand each of the programs offered.

GoodLIFE Clinic  - "Lifestyles Influencing Fitness and Eating"

The GoodLife Clinic provides a multidisciplinary treatment option for overweight infants, toddlers, school-age children and adolescents. An individualized family-centered approach is initiated with every patient and family. The GoodLIFE team consists of a pediatrician, nurse, dietitian, therapeutic recreation specialist and behavioral specialist.

Metabolic Syndrome clinic

The multidisciplinary Metabolic Syndrome clinic provides evaluation and treatment of children and adolescents whose weight is associated with insulin resistance-related disorders. Care in this clinic is provided by a multidisciplinary team of pediatric endocrinologists, dietitians and diabetes nurse educators with a focus on healthy eating, physical activity and behavior changes. Direct referrals to sleep clinicians are also utilized.

SHAPEDOWN®

The Children’s Hospital Heart Institute offers the SHAPEDOWN® clinic, a family approach to childhood and adolescent overweight taught by a multidisciplinary team of health professionals. The 10-week group participation clinic is the nation’s leading weight program for adolescents and children. The SHAPEDOWN® team consists of social workers trained in pediatrics or family systems, therapeutic recreation specialists and a registered dietitian.

Nutritional Consultation

Outpatient dietary counseling for weight management is available through the Department of Nutrition by registered dietitians. Private nutrition counseling is available at The Children’s Hospital main campus and through our Specialty Care Centers.

Nutrition for Gastroenterology Conditions

The Children's Hospital Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition leads the Rocky Mountain region in treating pediatric patients with intestinal, liver and pancreatic conditions, along with their related nutritional disorders. Our team of experts are highly skilled in all aspects of gastrointestinal, liver and nutritional disorders and educated in the most innovative diagnostic and therapeutic nutritional approaches for children with GI conditions. 

Body Mass Index (BMI) for Children and Adolescents

Weight in kilograms ÷  Height in meters2   = BMI

Underweight = BMI for age < 5th percentile
At Risk for Overweight = BMI for age 85th percentile to < 95th percentile
Overweight = BMI for age > 95th percentile

Pediatric Overweight Facts
  • The Body Mass Index (BMI) helps define when weight is excessive relative to height. It can also be used over time to assess changes in body weight in relation to height growth.
  • Growth charts using the BMI track children and adolescents in comparison with others in their age range in order to help define "at-risk for overweight" and overweight.
  • A child or adolescent with a BMI at or above the 95th percentile is considered overweight. BMI in the 85-95th percentile range for age is "at-risk for overweight."
  • According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 17% of all children and adolescents ages six to 19 years are overweight.

Contact Nutrition & Weight Management

For more information, or to schedule an appointment, please call:

  • Clinical Nutrition
    (720) 777-2691
  • Weight Management Nurse Coordinator (720) 777-3352

Additional Resources

Weight Management Program brochure (.pdf)

The ABCs of a Healthy Lifestyle brochure (.pdf)
Also in Spanish (.pdf)