Program Information
The program at the Pediatric Weight Clinic (PWC) is modeled after the highly-successful Weigh of Life program offered through the Eating Disorders Clinic (Gastroenterology) at the Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston, Texas.
The PWC treatment program offers different levels of service to meet the individual needs of all families.
Full Team Assessment
The PWC offers a comprehensive team assessment to all new children and families. The assessment involves a 30 minute session with each of the 4 caregivers (pediatrician, psychologist, nutritionist, and physical trainer). The child/family receives a complete assessment report within two weeks after the assessment.
Treatment Program
The PWC offers a comprehensive program for the treatment of childhood obesity through one-on-one sessions. We have a chartered psychologist, pediatrician, certified nutritionist, and physical trainer on staff who work on an individual basis with each child/youth and their family. This team approach combines behavior modification, nutrition education, physical activity, and continuous medical monitoring throughout the program by the Clinic’s pediatrician. We encourage the involvement of families to help their child successfully complete the program and create change within the family.
The result is a program designed to help each child/youth and their family make positive choices for weight management and a healthy lifestyle.
Individual Sessions
A family may choose to see individual clinicians at the PWC at their own discretion and upon recommendation of the team once they have completed an initial psychological assessment. This is particularly beneficial for families who may already be seeing an external trainer, nutritionist/dietitian, and/or psychologist, and may only need support from one or more specific caregivers at the PWC.
Physician Follow-ups Only
Families may choose to schedule visits with the pediatrician at the PWC on an on-going basis subsequent to an initial medical exam for:
- Medical follow-ups (should they choose not to enroll in either the full or modified treatment programs);
- Maintenance after program completion; and/or
- Long-term support.
These appointments are approximately ½ hour in duration and are fully covered by Alberta Health Care. Many families find these appointments extremely beneficial as they maintain regular contact with the PWC once their treatment program has been completed.
