For Families
The Children’s Obesity Action Team (COAT) provides integrated care to children and teens who are overweight or obese, and their families. We work closely with Children’s Hospital subspecialty clinics to prevent and treat pediatric obesity and to promote healthier lifestyles for children.
Is my child overweight?
If you wonder if your child is overweight, the most important thing to do is talk with your primary care provider or another health provider trained on childhood overweight. The provider can accurately measure your child’s height and weight and calculate their body mass index (BMI).
Your provider will compare your child’s BMI to other children of the same age and sex. Your provider will then consider your child’s past growth and development patterns and current BMI to find out if their weight is a concern. Also, if your child is more muscular than other kids the same age, your provider will consider this in determining if your child is overweight.
Remember, the BMI is a tool used to look at health status, but it should be used along with other health measurements.
What programs are available to help my child who is overweight?
At Children’s Hospital
If you have concerns about your child’s weight or health conditions that may be a result of weight gain, you can bring your child to Children’s for an evaluation. Your child will go to one of two clinics, depending on their age. The Child Wellness Clinic treats children ages 2 to 11 and the Adolescent Wellness Clinic sees children and teens ages 12 to 19.
To be seen in the Child Wellness Clinic, your child must have a body mass index (BMI) greater than the 95th percentile on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) growth chart. Kids who have a BMI greater than the 85th percentile in addition to other health conditions may also be seen. Teens who have a BMI greater than the 85th percentile may be seen in the Adolescent Wellness Clinic. For those teens with a BMI greater than the 95th percentile, treatment will be intensified.
At Odessa Brown Children’s Clinic
At Odessa Brown Children’s Clinic, a clinical program called Fit 4 You focuses on supporting children and families in obesity prevention and management. This program includes individual consultation and classes, and it links families with a number of community resources. Learn more.
In the community
Within local communities, the Strong Kids Strong Teens healthy lifestyle program is also available. This program serves overweight youth ages 8 to 14 and their parents. Learn more.
