The FAN Club at St. Louis Children’s Hospital combines the expertise of pediatric-trained physicians, behaviorists, dietitians, and physical therapists to provide a comprehensive approach to the medical management of excessive weight. The FAN Club is a pediatric weight management program for kids age 8-12 which focuses on family, activity and nutrition. Our family-based program is centered on medical management and incorporates behavioral therapy, dietary intervention and exercise.
The FAN Club will meet weekly for 30 weeks. Small classes of approximately ten students and their families will go through the program together. Participants and their primary caregiver(s) will learn about nutrition, develop a customized healthy meal plan, discuss behavioral issues and engage in physical activity! More importantly, kids will be medically monitored and work with specially-trained Children’s Hospital pediatricians, behaviorists, dietitians and physical therapists.
The FAN Club is made possible by generous donations to the St. Louis Children’s Hospital Foundation.
Philosophy
The St. Louis Children’s Hospital FAN Club is based on the following principles:
- Pediatric obesity is a chronic disease that requires a family-centered approach in order to achieve the best outcome.
- A moderate amount of weight loss, as long as it is maintained, has health benefits including decreased high blood pressure, improved blood sugars, and a decrease in total cholesterol.
- Healthy eating is a high priority but physical activity must also be included for long-term weight management success.
Philosophy Components
- Families will follow a healthy, well-balanced meal plan that has been created with a registered dietitian to achieve slow and steady weight loss. This individualized plan will reduce calories while maintaining good nutrition.
- Families will participate in regular, safe physical activity.
- Treatment will be monitored medically and supervised by physicians.
- Children and parents will learn weight loss skills by incorporating healthy lifestyle changes.
- Families will work with the multi-disciplinary team to develop long-term weight maintenance strategies.
New FAN Club sessions will be forming soon. The next 30-week session will begin in August 2009 and a second session will begin in October 2009. FAN Club sessions are limited to 10 participants and their families, so call today to learn more about the program. Call 314.454.KIDS for more information.