Pediatric Healthy Weight and Weight Management

Pediatric Healthy Weight and Weight Management

As you work with your child’s pediatrician to monitor your child’s growth and weight, you may realize that high weight is putting your child at risk for some serious health problems. 

The Children’s Health℠ team of physicians, nurse practitioners, dietitians, psychologists and social workers are here to support you and your child in making lasting lifestyle changes so that your child achieves optimal growth and a healthy weight. Our full range of program options can safely guide your family to healthier eating and exercise habits, now and over a lifetime, and can help make sure that your child maintains confidence and a positive body image. 

Our goal is to help you prevent the chronic conditions that come from being overweight or having obesity, such as diabetes, depression, liver conditionspediatric coronary artery diseasehigh blood pressure and cholesterol problems. 

Fun-sized Pita Pizza in less than 15 minutes


Ingredients:

  • Whole wheat pita bread
  • ½ cup tomato sauce
  • 1 green pepper, chopped
  • ¼ cup mushrooms, chopped
  • ¼ cup turkey rounds
  • ¼ cup mozzarella cheese
  • Pinch of Italian seasoning, to taste

Click here for the full recipe and instructions

Our Nutrition Clinic offers an introduction to family-centered healthy eating

Children with a variety of conditions and disorders can benefit from a nutritional assessment and counseling at our Pediatric Nutrition Clinic. Our dietitian can identify underlying medical conditions or habits that may be affecting your child's health and development and help your family establish new sustainable lifestyle habits. Visits focus on the individual family.

  • The program is for children up to age 18 whose weight is too high or has obesity.
By participating in healthy activities, you can help your child feel less alone and more supported.
Vanessa Simpson, LMSW

Our Get Up & Go Program engages children and their families in healthy lifestyle choices

The Get Up & Go Program is a free 10-week weight management and physical activity program for children that is offered in partnership with the YMCA of Dallas. Physicians and dietitians designed the program as a team approach to weight loss, so children and their whole family attend together. Classes focus on the importance of healthy lifestyle choices and fun physical activities. Each week, families will set goals with their program leader.

  • The program is for children ages 6 -14 whose weight is too high or has obesity with a BMI over the 85th percentile for their age, height and gender. 

Our COACH Program lowers the risk of complications and conditions caused by childhood obesity

The Center for Obesity and its Consequences in Health (COACH) Program is the only comprehensive program for childhood obesity in North Texas. Our team of healthcare professionals has experience and enthusiasm for reversing obesity and its effects on overall health. We will work with your child to develop an individual diet and exercise plan that can lower their risk of other health complications. The program includes individual visits with access to a team of specialists.

  • The program is for children ages 6 to 17 whose weight is too high or has obesity.

Our Bariatric Program offers weight loss surgery to reverse obesity

When an adolescent hasn’t found success with other methods of weight loss, doctors may recommend an evaluation for weight loss surgery, also known as bariatric surgery. This surgical technique changes the digestive tract, including the size of the stomach, so patients feel full sooner and eat less.

When combined with lifestyle changes, bariatric surgery can help adolescents reach a healthier weight, improve self-esteem and reduce the likelihood of other chronic diseases. The program includes individual visits with access to a team of specialists.

  • Teens over the age of 14 who who have very high weight or obesity with a BMI over 35, have serious health conditions and a demonstrated willingness to make lifestyle changes may be candidates for bariatric surgery.

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