Pediatrics specialties

TEENS Weight Management

Teaching, Encouragement, Exercise, Nutrition and Support

The Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU’s TEENS Weight Management program is a multidisciplinary weight management clinical trial in collaboration with the VCU departments of Heath and Human Performance, Family Medicine, Internal Medicine and Psychology. The comprehensive program provides medical screenings, exercise routines, family support and nutritional education to families of obese teens at no charge.

The dedicated TEENS weight management team includes:

• Physicians
• Psychologists
• Nutritionists
• Exercise medicine specialists

Patients must meet the following criteria to qualify:

• Age 11-16
• Body Mass Index (BMI) above the 85th percentile
• Weigh less than 400 pounds
• Live within a 30-mile radius of the city of Richmond
• Absence of any genetic, neurologic, endocrine or metabolic condition that precludes weight loss
• Be able to perform standard exercise movements and understand basic instructions
• Have a primary care physician
• Have a motivated parent/guardian that will accompany the teen and participate in the program
• Female teens must not be pregnant

The six-month program strives to teach adolescents and families how to develop healthy lifestyles through a protocol-based intervention. Participants are followed for six months upon program completion.

Adolescents who enroll in the program receive:

• Complete medical evaluation with comprehensive lab work
• Resting electrocardiogram test
• Medical exam
• Nutritional and behavioral evaluation
• Exercise program
• Nutrition education

Created by VCU University Relations