Treatment for Pediatric Obesity | High Bodyweight

The program at Kartini Clinic for children of high body weight is not for everyone.

In the year 2009, with the state of the science the way it is, there is no magic wand for immediate reduction in body size. In fact, our concerns as pediatricians are not so much for body size and weight, per se, as for health and positive social adjustment. If we could reduce all children’s body size to a range of “normal” we would, for everyone knows that the heart, the joints, the skin and many other bodily organs are adversely affected by too much weight. The science is simply not there yet to do this. We are forced to try and focus on those health parameters we can influence: blood sugar, blood pressure, cholesterol, etc. and try to put a cap on further excessive weight gain as a child grows. We focus on self-esteem and self mastery through our focus on improving the family’s eating style, increasing levels of physical activity, decreasing “screen time” and an open, non-blaming, non-humiliating approach to the child who has an inherited tendency to metabolize food to fat much too efficiently. No blame.

Let me say it clearly: this is not a weight-loss program. Our patients may lose weight, or they may simply be helped to stop future excessive weight gain as they grow into their weight. They, along with their families, will be taught how to cook and eat healthy food and how to modify the family’s lifestyle in a way that will benefit all of them.

Because our program is family-centered it will not work unless the parents are willing to do “whatever it takes” to make this work. Following the initial assessment by the doctor, parents will receive a list of required commitments. No child can be accepted into the program whose parents are not willing to commit to this list. Parents will need to understand the financial and time/energy commitment they are agreeing to before they start the program.

Our business office and doctors make every effort to convince your insurance company to cover our work with your child. However, if medical visits, family therapy or visits with our movement therapists are denied, you will be responsible for all costs.

At Kartini Clinic we love and welcome children of high body weight. We look forward to working with motivated parents who are committed to their child’s health and wellness.

For more information about any of our programs, you may submit an online request or simply call us on 503 249 8851 and ask for our intake coordinator.