At The Gurnee Medical Weight Loss Center, we understand… For children that struggle with weight gain and obesity, maintaining a healthy weight is a lifelong battle. At The Gurnee Weight Loss Center, we feel that it is crucial to begin developing healthy lifestyle and eating habits early in life, and we are dedicated to helping children and adolescents get started on the right path to their ideal weight. As an Internal Medicine Physician, Dr. Paul C. Tack has seen first-hand the importance of developing proper nutrition early in life. In fact, studies show that children and adolescents that develop the right activity and nutrition habits demonstrate a higher rate of achieving and maintaining ideal body weight throughout their life.
Childhood Obesity Trends
Childhood obesity has more than tripled in the past 30 years. The prevalence of obesity among children aged 6 to 11 years increased from 6.5% in 1980 to 19.6% today. The prevalence of obesity among adolescents aged 12 to 19 years increased from 5.0% to 18.1%. Obesity is the result of caloric imbalance (too few calories expended for the amount of calories consumed) and is mediated by genetic, behavioral, and environmental factors. Childhood obesity has both immediate and long-term health impacts:
- Obese youth are more likely to have risk factors for cardiovascular disease, such as high cholesterol or high blood pressure.
- Children and adolescents who are obese are at greater risk for bone and joint problems, sleep apnea, and social and psychological problems such as stigmatization and poor self-esteem.
- Obese youth are more likely than youth of normal weight to become overweight or obese adults, and therefore more at risk for associated adult health problems, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, several types of cancer, and osteoarthritis.
- The negative social impact to an overweight youth in the school environment can have life-long emotional effects.
Pediatric Weight Loss Solutions
At The Gurnee Medical Weight Loss Center, we work with children (usually between the ages of 6 and 18) together with one of their parents to introduce and implement healthier lifestyle and eating habits. Our Medical Weight Loss program for adolescents is developed to help children, teens and adolescents lose weight and develop healthier lifestyle habits that will last long into adulthood. In order for children to develop these healthy lifestyle and eating habits, it is very important that they feel support at home. For this reason, we feel that it is vital to the success of your child that at least one parent is involved in our Medical Weight Loss program. This means that a parent must be present during the initial consultation and during all of the follow-up visits.
Diet, Exercise and Weight Loss for Children
Many children develop poor eating habits as a result of poor nutrition choices that are introduced at home while others struggle with weight gain due to genetic dispositions and chronic illness. Our Medical Weight Loss program will introduce healthy diet, exercise and lifestyle habits that can be easily implemented at home. We encourage all parents involved in their child’s personal weight loss program to follow the recommended nutritional guidelines that are discussed during our office visits. By participating in good nutritional habits alongside their adolescent child, parents can become a positive role model and help guide their children through their emerging weight loss journey. Parents that participate in these healthy lifestyle changes with their child have a greater understanding of any challenges that are encountered during the weight loss process, and often function as a crucial unit of support. In order to participate in our medical weight loss program, any patient that is under the age of 18 must have a signed consent form from a parent or guardian.
Medical Weight Loss for Your Child – Start Today!
Remember…Losing excess weight for your child means much more than being thinner. They will become healthier, happier and much more active! Through medical supervision and holistic care, the parent and child will discover the potential for excellent health and well-being. You are not alone… Take the next step for your child by contacting our office today at 847.625.8300 or request an appointment here. You can do it…and We can help! We look forward to seeing you!
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