A Pediatric Weight Management Center
in collaboration with the physicians of
Children's Hospital Boston.
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medical visit
Research has shown that successful treatment of overweight children and teens requires a multi-specialty approach. Your child’s progress through the Great Moves! Program will be medically supervised with at least 3 visits with a physician from Children’s Hospital Boston.
Initial Medical Visit
The first consultation (during week 1) involves a 60 minute comprehensive medical evaluation during which a complete physical examination, medical history, and family history will be reviewed. As part of this assessment, laboratory studies will also be performed.
The purpose of this evaluation is to identify underlying medical conditions, such as hormonal problems or genetic problems, that may contribute to the development of obesity and also to identify any complications that might develop as a result of obesity, such as diabetes or high cholesterol.
A summary of your child’s assessment will be sent to your child’s pediatrician and, if necessary, recommendations would be made for any additional evaluations that might be required.
To prepare for this initial visit, we will need the following information faxed to us from your child’s pediatrician before your appointment:
- Growth chart
- Copy of notes from the most recent physical exam and any visits related to overweight/obesity assessment or treatment
- Any laboratory tests or other procedures (e.g., overnight sleep study) related to overweight/obesity or one of its complications
Follow-up Medical Visits
Your child would be seen for at least 2 additional follow up visits at the middle and at the end of the 6 month program. The primary purpose of these visits is to monitor the rate of change in your child’s weight during the program and to ensure that your child is growing normally while participating in the program.
Monitoring
At each medical visit, your child will have the following assessments performed:
- Height
- Weight
- Body mass index
(BMI, a measure of weight relative to height) - Waist circumference
- Blood pressure
In addition, at the beginning and the end of the program, your child will also have an evaluation of body composition that will assess fat mass, fat free mass, and total body water. This is done through a test called bioelectrical impedance.