preparing for your appointment
The Healthy Me/Lipid clinic team at Dayton Children’s provides comprehensive evaluation, education, and treatment options for children with weight concerns and/ or metabolic disorders. Metabolic disorders include things like:
- High cholesterol
- High triglycerides
- Insulin resistance
- Fatty liver
- Vitamin D deficiency
- Other complications of obesity or elevated body mass index (BMI)
Our team is led by a pediatrician who is board certified in obesity medicine. The team includes pediatricians and a nurse practitioner with extra training in lipid disorders and obesity in children. The team also includes nurses, dietitians, office staff and medical assistants who are trained in helping patients and their families develop a healthy, active lifestyle.
your visit overview
At your visit, the team will review your daily health habits, your medical history (including your family history), medication, growth/development history and any labs ordered prior to your visit. A full physical exam will be completed. The Healthy Me/Lipid clinic team will then provide assessment, discuss goals, and order further testing as needed. A treatment plan will be discussed.
other testing
Testing helps us learn more about your child so that we can design the best treatment plan for your child. Some tests that may be ordered after your evaluation are:
- Blood work
- Sleep testing
- Cardiac testing like EKG/echocardiogram (measures heart function)
- Oral glucose tolerance test
- Resting Energy Expenditure (determine caloric needs)
treatment plan details
Each child will receive a family-focused treatment plan based on their specific needs. The plan focuses on six key areas:
- Nutrition
- Physical activity
- Mindful habits
- Sleep
- Screen time management
- Stress management/well-being
The medical treatment plan also includes blood work and medical testing based on patient needs. Other treatments like medication or surgical options are also discussed individually. Our team works closely with other sub-specialties to address conditions related to metabolic disorders. We will refer and co-manage as needed.
The first visit may take up to 90 minutes to complete. It often involves the nurse, provider and dietitian. We offer virtual and in-person visits for follow up. Patients are seen in follow up every 1-6 months, depending on
patient needs and mutual decision making from patients, families and providers. Patient graduation from the program is assessed at each clinical visit.
community connection
We strive to provide the whole family with opportunities to improve healthy lifestyles. We aim to connect families with programs such as cooking class opportunities, nutrition education, physical activity challenges, and various other tools promoting healthy, active living.
