Obesity & Weight Management

The Pediatric Obesity Center for Treatment, Research and Education at Connecticut Children’s offers behavior-based weight management program for children and adolescents. Our specialists help children and their families change behaviors to establish healthier physical and emotional lifestyles.

Our multidisciplinary team of top pediatricians, surgeons, psychologists, dietitians, and physical therapists use a comprehensive approach to weight management. We educate families about the benefits of healthy eating and an active lifestyle with an emphasis on setting realistic goals. With our medical and psychological support, children and families are able to overcome barriers that may get in the way of success.

Connecticut Children’s Medical Center was one of 25 children’s hospitals from across the United States selected as part of NACHRI’s FOCUS on a Fitter Future task force, a collaborative effort to identify best practices for pediatric weight management programs. Connecticut Children’s emerged as a leader with the creation of our Pediatric Obesity Center and is the only hospital in the state that provides adolescents with a surgical option for weight management.

Weight Management

Connecticut Children’s is home to several obesity treatment programs that help children achieve a healthier lifestyle. Children participate in the program that best fits their needs based on age, degree of obesity, family background, and other factors.

• The Fit 5 weight management programs are a series of healthy lifestyle programs for families with children as young as age three. One-on-one sessions with our multidisciplinary team result in treatment plans tailored to a family’s needs, while group sessions provide support and motivation to help build self-esteem and modify eating habits and physical activity.
• Connecticut Children’s bariatric surgery program is the only adolescent surgical program for weight loss in the state, offering the adjustable gastric banding procedure for children age 14-19 who have a BMI of 40 or greater, or have a BMI of 35 with a medical co-morbidity.
• Connecticut Children’s provides a variety of clinical nutrition services and educational support to help improve children’s health. Our experienced registered dietitians coordinate with Connecticut Children’s specialists and community-based pediatricians to provide individual services and group nutrition classes.

Referrals

Children will need a referral from their pediatrician along with requested lab work, family history and lifestyle information prior to scheduling an appointment at Connecticut Children’s Pediatric Obesity Center. At the first appointment, the patient and family will meet several members of our team for a comprehensive evaluation that includes a review of all lab work, blood pressure readings, height and weight measurements, body composition assessment, and a psychological evaluation.

For Medical Professionals:

• How to make a referral