Center helps Philadelphia's children combat obesity

Healthy Weight Awareness Center offers medical treatments and after-school support

In response to the nation's current childhood obesity epidemic, the Healthy Weight Awareness Center at St. Christopher's Hospital for Children offers a comprehensive and multi-disciplinary program for children at risk or already affected by co-morbid conditions associated with being overweight.

Obesity is on the rise in the United States.. In 1999, ten percent of girls and nine percent of boys were overweight. Two years later, those percentages had increased to 12 percent and 19 percent respectively.

The Healthy Weight Awareness Center identifies potential weight problems in children and adolescents and determines medical, and possibly surgical treatments, to suit each patient's needs. "The best treatment for obesity is early recognition and intervention at a younger age," said Dr. Kathy Chen, pediatric gastroenterologist and medical director, Healthy Weight Awareness Center.

The Healthy Weight Awareness Center at St. Christopher's Hospital for Children applies a multi-disciplinary approach to treating pediatric obesity offering:

• A medically supervised approach to evaluating and establishing treatment plans for significantly obese patients
• A multi-disciplinary team consisting of pediatric gastroenterologists, pediatricians, pediatric surgeons, nutrition specialists, nursing staff and practitioners, social workers and child life specialists
• Referrals to sub-specialists for individual medical and surgical complications including endocrinology, pulmonary,  orthopedics, cardiology and physical therapy

The center's after-school programs include:

• Way to Go Kids! Directed by a nutritionist, physical therapist and social worker to educate about nutrition and exercise, these eight-week classes are open to referred children and adolescents. Family participation is required.
• Melt-Aways: Directed by a social worker and nurse practitioner, this weight management support group is held every third Tuesday evening and is open to adolescents and families.

Healthy Weight Awareness Center Staff:

Kathy Chen, M.D., Medical Director 

Laura Walsh-Forrest, CRNP

Linda Franklin, LPN

Kristen Roscioli, RD, LDN

Marisa Wachtler, MSW (program coordinator)


Healthy Weight Awareness Center at St. Christopher's Hospital for Children, please call (215) 427-8338.