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Pediatric and Adolescent Patients
The pediatric/adolescent program at the MGH Weight Center provides comprehensive evaluation and care for children and adolescents who are overweight or obese. The multidisciplinary team consists of a pediatrician specialized in obesity medicine (gastroenterology and nutrition or endocrinology), a dietitian and a psychologist. The pediatric program is closely affiliated with the adult programs at the MGH Weight Center, to allow for family-based care and continuity of care into adult life.
Comprehensive evaluationA consultation at the MGH Weight Center can be initiated by the patient, family or school, but we also request a referral from your primary care physician to ensure that relevant clinical information is available. All patients are evaluated by the following members of their Weight Center team:
Individualized treatment
- Physician – Evaluates for causes of weight gain, and for any weight-related problems (such as sleep apnea, diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol and fatty liver disease). As part of this process, each patient has a comprehensive set of screening blood tests on the first evaluation visit, and additional tests are scheduled as needed.
- Psychologist – Evaluates for depression and other mood disorders, school functioning, disordered eating patterns, social distress related to weight, family communication and behaviors related to weight, and strengths and obstacles relevant to making lifestyle changes.
- Dietitian – Evaluates current eating habits and food preferences, in the context of family schedules and resources; assesses current levels of physical activity and explores options for change that might be appealing to the child and practical for the family.
After the evaluation visit, the team and family members collaborate to develop an individualized treatment plan, which includes lifestyle changes, and in some cases medication or surgical treatment.
- Lifestyle Changes - Achieving and maintaining healthful changes in diet and exercise is always an important goal. The specific priorities for change depend on the patient and family’s needs and level of commitment; this process is supported through direct counseling by one or more members of the Weight Center team during follow-up visits. If regular follow-up visits are not practicable for a particular family due to distance or scheduling, some of this follow up counseling may be done closer to home, through providers outside of the Weight Center.
- Medication - For some adolescent patients, weight management might be enhanced by prescription of weight loss medication. For those who are already taking medication for depression or other issues, the Weight Center physician can consult with the prescribing physician to optimize the medications for weight management.
- Surgery - For select adolescent patients with severe obesity and medical problems, the Weight Center offers the option of weight loss surgery. The surgical program is a collaboration between the Weight Center’s bariatric surgeons, who have extensive experience in bariatric surgery, the Weight Center’s pediatric team and MassGeneral Hospital for Children’s pediatric surgeons and nurses. All adolescents are carefully prepared for surgery through an age-appropriate education program, and closely followed by the Weight Center team after surgery to ensure a healthy outcome and adjustment.
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