Childhood and Adolescent Treatment
Amazing S.T.E.P.S. (St. John Teens: Exceptional, Powerful, Successful).
St. John Weight Loss has launched a family based program for the treatment of adolescent obesity: Amazing S.T.E.P.S. The age range for the progam is 12-17 years of age. The program, led by Dr. Karen Alton's multidisciplinary team, is based on Shapedown, the nation's leading adolescent weight management program. For more information, contact St. John Providence Weight Loss at 866.996.3066.
What is Childhood Obesity?
Childhood obesity affects more than 30% of children, making it the most common chronic disease of childhood. Childhood obesity is not just a cosmetic problem. Today, more and more children are being diagnosed with diabetes, hypertension and other co-morbid conditions associated with obesity. A child is defined as “overweight” if their weight-for-age percentile is greater than 95 percent. A child is defined as “at risk for overweight” if their weight-for-age percentile is greater than 85 percent and less than 95 percent.
Causes of childhood obesity include environment, dietary patterns, lack of physical activity, socioeconomic status, heredity and family.
The Centers for Disease Control have identified obesity as a chronic disease, one that can and needs to be managed for a lifetime. Obesity in children is leading to many related diseases such as asthma, Type II diabetes, high blood pressure, and sleep apnea.
Our physicians believe that obesity which begins in childhood should be addressed as early in life as possible. The standard programs that are successful for adults will not be as successful in children.
Educational Resources
The following links provide helpful information on childhood and adolescent obesity.
Childhood Obesity--Centers for Disease Control
Healthy Youth--Centers for Disease Control
President's Council on Physical Fitness--Department of Health & Human Services