Outpatient Services
Weigh Smart™
A Special Thanks...
A special thanks to the Solomon, Theresa and Maurice Greenwald Fund of the Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital Foundation for making possible a grant to support the Weigh Smart™ program.
Program Overview
The Weigh Smart™ at Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital is a multi-disciplinary, comprehensive approach to weight management involving medical, nutritional, educational and behavioral components to help children acquire healthy eating and exercise habits that will last a lifetime. In addition, the group program has an exercise segment that is designed to be fun, therefore, encourage life-long participation. Each child will participate in a one-on-one clinical assessment with our team. Depending on the child's needs, that team may include a pediatric gastroenterologist, pediatric psychologist, pediatric dietitian and a physical therapist.
The Weigh Smart™ Program is open to children ages 8 to 17 years old and focuses on lifestyle changes, healthy dietary choices and exercise. The group program is designed as a series of 10 twice a week, 60 minute discussion sessions with a 60 minute group exercise class. We also offer an individualized program for children and their parent(s) to meet with a therapist to focus on behavior change as a family unit. The team will discuss which program may be more appropriate for your family at the initial assessment.
Admission Criteria:
To discuss current admission criteria, please contact:
Debra Fike
Program Analyst
410-578-5343
dfike@mwph.orgor Michelle Demeule
Program Manager
410-578-5342
mdemeule@mwph.org
Program Costs:
Because many of these services will not be covered by insurance, Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital has taken steps to help families with the costs of the Weigh Smart™ program. The hospital will charge each family a portion of the uncovered costs according to a sliding scale, based on family income. Mt. Washington provides this assistance as part of its commitment to providing the highest quality pediatric health care in a nurturing environment.
The determination of your costs and arrangements for payment will be discussed during the assessment phase.
A special thanks to the Solomon, Theresa and Maurice Greenwald Fund of the Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital Foundation for making possible a grant to support the Weigh Smart™ program
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I expect during the evaluation appointment?
During the evaluation appointment, your child will see a pediatric gastroenterologist and a pediatric psychologist. You should anticipate at least a two hour appointment. Your child will be weighed and measured and a body fat analysis will be performed.
Upon completion of the evaluation, the team will discuss which treatment option is best for your child. If the group program is recommended, your child will also have appointments with a pediatric dietitian and a physical therapist. The dietitian will assess the need for dietary changes based on your child's eating patterns and lab-work. The physical therapist will assess if your child is safe to exercise. If the individual program is recommended, your child will also meet with a pediatric dietitian before beginning ongoing sessions with the child's therapist.
What can I expect during the program?
During the group program, you and your child will come for 2 sessions per week. Sessions consists of one hour of education/discussion with one hour of exercise. The sessions are usually either Monday or Wednesday evenings after 5:00 PM. Please call the program for more details regarding times.
We encourage the involvement of family members during class discussions and require that they participate in three of the exercise sessions as a coach and motivator. Your child will be weighed once a week before class but will not be told the results to minimize anxiety regarding weight loss or gain. We will share results with parents or guardians in confidence if requested.
The individual program offers more flexibility, with appointments scheduled at mutually agreeable times for the therapist and the family. The individualized program does not involve a group exercise program.
What happens after my child completes the program?
We hope that you and your child will continue on the path of making healthy lifestyle changes. We will help you establish a physical fitness routine by identifying resources in the community and offering ideas for working out at home.
The program offers a monthly support group on the 3rd Tuesday of every month to keep you and your family committed to changes you have made. Please call us for more information on the support group activities and times.
What benefits can my child expect from participating?
We emphasize improved health and better lifestyle choices. Many of our participants report improved self-esteem, better physical fitness and satisfaction with changes made to their lifestyles as a result of the program. Many children have seen a drop in their body fat percentage and report that clothes fit better. Our goals are to instill self esteem and better lifestyle choices related to diet and fitness.
New Patient Information Form:
- Download the New Patient Information Form (106KB, 8 pgs.)
- Sample Completed Form (209KB, 11 pgs.)
- Print and complete the form
- Return the completed form one of the following ways:
- In-person during your next appointment
- By FAX: 410-578-2654
- Mail it to:
Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital
Weigh Smart™ Program
1708 West Rogers Avenue
Baltimore, Maryland 21209-4596
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