Pediatric Wellness & Weight Management

A part of our pediatric specialty services, Valley’s Center for Pediatric Wellness and Weight Management provides comprehensive medical care, nutrition services, behavioral support, and family-centered guidance to help children improve their health, build lifelong healthy habits, and manage weight-related concerns. 

Our Medical Director

Sherry Sakowitz, MD

The Valley Approach to Pediatric Weight Management

At Valley, we take a personalized, family-centered approach to childhood weight management. Our approach does not include restrictive dieting. Instead, we focus on helping children and families build healthy, sustainable habits.

Our multidisciplinary team works closely with children, adolescents, and their families to develop individualized care plans, coordinating with pediatric specialists across Valley when needed to provide seamless, comprehensive support every step of the way.

Our team includes:

• A physician with board-certification in pediatrics and obesity medicine
• Pediatric dietitians
• Nutrition staff
• Social workers
• Support staff

Conditions We Help Manage

Our team provides treatment and support for a wide range of weight-related conditions, including:

• Obesity
• High cholesterol
• Prediabetes
• Polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS), formerly known as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
• Binge eating disorder
• Other weight-related complications

Who Can Benefit from Our Program?

Our program is designed for children and adolescents ages 3 and older who:

• Have a body mass index (BMI) at or above the 95th percentile for their age and sex
• Have a BMI at or above the 85th percentile and an associated medical condition or risk factor
• Have concerns about weight-related health issues
• Are struggling with unhealthy eating habits or lifestyle behaviors

Why Early Intervention Matters

The earlier weight-related issues are addressed, the greater the opportunity to improve a child's long-term health and well-being.

Untreated obesity can increase the risk of developing serious health conditions during childhood and adulthood, including heart disease, diabetes, sleep disorders, and other chronic illnesses. Early intervention helps children establish healthy habits, improve their quality of life, and reduce future health risks.

Causes of Pediatric Obesity

Childhood obesity is a complex condition that has no single cause.

Genetics can play a significant role in the development of the disease, while environmental, behavioral, and other health factors can also contribute.

It’s important for families to know that obesity is not their fault. Understanding the factors affecting your child’s health is the first step toward developing a treatment plan.

Services and Treatment Options

Each child’s treatment plan is tailored to their unique needs. Treatment plans may include:

• Lifestyle and behavioral changes
• Nutrition counseling  
• Anti-obesity medications (AOMs)
• Adolescent bariatric surgery
• Ongoing guidance and support  

What to Expect at Your Visits

Your first appointment typically lasts about one hour and is designed to help our team get a complete picture of your child’s health and goals.  

During the visit, we will:

• Review your child’s medical and family history
• Discuss eating habits, daily routines, and any potential lifestyle factors
• Complete a physical exam and order any necessary lab work
• Explain treatment options and the overall program
• Identify areas of improvement in terms of lifestyle and behavioral changes
• Discuss methods for tracking progress between visits

During the second visit, we will:

• Focus on nutritional counseling and meal planning
• Discuss the importance of mindful eating
• Educate patients on proper protein and fiber intake, as well as the importance of reducing added sugars in their diet
• Ongoing follow-up visits will provide ongoing guidance, support, and adjustments to make sure your child is on track to meet their goals.

Our goal is to help children develop a positive relationship with food and their bodies in the form of long-term lifestyle changes, not restrictive dieting.

Why Choose Valley for Pediatric Weight Management?

• Comprehensive evaluation: We take the time to understand the full picture of your child's health, including medical history, eating habits, lifestyle factors, family history, and weight-related concerns.
• Family-centered care: We include parents and caregivers as important parts of the treatment process. We work closely with families to develop a plan that supports lasting healthy habits at home.
• Compassionate, judgement-free approach: It is of utmost importance that our patients are surrounded by a supportive environment where they feel respected, encouraged, and empowered to improve their health.  

Schedule a Pediatric Weight Management Consultation

To schedule a consultation with our team, call 201-316-8438.