title: Challenges and successes of a multidisciplinary pediatric obesity treatment program.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Despite the well-documented need for multidisciplinary pediatric obesity treatment programs, few programs exist and best practices are not clearly defined. We describe the design and initial quality-related outcomes of the Strong4Life multidisciplinary pediatric obesity treatment program along with some challenges and solutions implemented over the first 2 years. The purpose of this report is to inform others interested in designing similar programs.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Strong4Life Clinic obesity program was designed to provide children with the medical care, as well as the behavior change guidance and support needed to reverse their obesity and/or minimize the related health risks. This low-intensity program is designed to provide approximately 6 hours of care over 12 months from a medical provider, psychologist, registered dietitian nutritionist, exercise physiologist, and nurse.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Between August 2011 and February 2014, the Strong4Life clinic served 781 high-risk (mean sex- and age-adjusted body mass index [BMI] percentile 98.8) and racially/ethnically diverse (45% non-Hispanic black and 24% Hispanic) patients. Of the 781 patients seen, 66% returned for at least 1 visit. Nearly all returning Strong4Life patients stabilized or improved their BMI (90% of those who participated <6 months, 97% of those who participated 6 to <12 months, and 92% of those who participated ≥12 months).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This report describes a low-intensity multidisciplinary weight management program that is feasible. Initial assessment of the program suggests benefit in most patients who participate >6 months, but longer follow-up and assessment of comorbidities are needed.
authors.affiliation: Wellness Department, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia.
authors.forename: Stephanie M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Walsh
authors.affiliation: Wellness Department, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia.
authors.forename: Wendy
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Palmer
authors.affiliation: Wellness Department, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia Nutrition and Health Sciences Program, Graduate School of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia.
authors.forename: Jean A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Welsh
authors.affiliation: Wellness Department, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia Nutrition and Health Sciences Program, Graduate School of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia mvos@emory.edu.
authors.forename: Miriam B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Vos
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D017195:Adolescent Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D002664:Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005845:Georgia / Q000453:epidemiology; D006776:Hospitals, Pediatric; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D062405:Motivational Interviewing; D009765:Obesity / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital; D010348:Patient Care Team; D010352:Patient Dropouts; D057285:Precision Medicine; D012307:Risk Factors; D015431:Weight Loss
keywords: obesity; pediatrics; weight loss; weight reduction programs