Weight Management Treatment Options at Children’s

from Practice Update, Spring 2004

The Children’s Hospital offers the region’s leading pediatric weight management programs. Each treatment option 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 to make life-long changes.

GoodLIFE—Lifestyles Influencing Fitness and Eating

The GoodLife Clinic provides a multidisciplinary treatment option for overweight infants, toddlers, school-age children and adolescents. The GoodLIFE team consists of a pediatrician, nurse, dietitian, therapeutic recreation specialist and behavioral specialist. The clinic conducts a comprehensive medical assessment and evaluation of the patient for:

• Excessive weight gain
• Families or PCPs who are concerned about a child’s risk of overweight
• Overweight with related medical conditions such as hyperlipidemia, fatty liver disease, obstructive sleep problems and orthopedic problems
• The clinic helps families negotiate change and build skills in the areas of diet, activity and behavior from interactive goal setting to structured meal planning

Referrals are available to the sleep clinic, physical therapy and other subspecialties as indicated.

Metabolic Syndrome/Insulin Resistance/Type 2 Diabetes Clinic

The multidisciplinary Metabolic Syndrome Clinic provides evaluation and treatment of children and adolescents whose weight is associated with insulin resistance-related disorders which may include:

• Type 2 Diabetes
• Dyslipidemia
• Hypertension
• Insulin resistance/hyperinsulinism
• Polycystic ovary syndrome
• Obesity-related sleep apnea
• Impaired glucose tolerance/ impaired fasting glucose

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.

SHAPEDOWN®

The Children’s Hospital Heart Institute offers the Shapedown Clinic, a family approach to childhood and adolescent overweight. Sessions are 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. The group program includes:

• 10 weeks of group support and education      
• Meeting other people who have similar goals  
• Self-esteem-building and goal-setting
• Fun, game-like exercises
• Four individual sessions following the 10 weeks

(The Shapedown method is also available on an individual basis.)

Before participating in the Shapedown clinic, patients need to meet certain criteria, including an initial evaluation at The Children’s Hospital Heart Institute.

For more information or to schedule the initial evaluation, contact Marilyn Day, MS, RD, Co-Director of the Shapedown and Lipid clinics, at The Children's Hospital at 720-777-1234

Nutritional Consultation By Registered Dietitian

Outpatient dietary counseling by registered dietitians is available through the Department of Nutrition. Private nutrition counseling is available at The Children’s Hospital main campus and specialty care centers. Criteria for outpatient nutritional counseling could include the following:

• Inability to participate in other pediatric weight management programs
• Family request for private nutritional counseling session
• The need for individual meal planning

Questions regarding outpatient dietary counseling can be directed to Lyn Stevenson, RD, CSP at The Children's Hospital at 720-777-1234.