Services Offered
CYW provides comprehensive weight management services for children 2- to 18-years-old and families who are ready to make changes to their eating and physical activity habits.
· Teens (aged 11-18) can participate in a 2-hour, 10-week structured group program that helps them practice healthy eating and physical activity habits.
· Children (aged 2-10) and parents meet individually with a registered dietitian to develop a tailored, healthy active living prescription and provide ongoing guidance and support.
· Caregivers and expectant parents can attend age-specific nutrition education workshops.
Individual/Family Nutrition Counseling
Families meet with a registered dietitian to create a tailored nutrition and physical activity plan to meet your unique needs. Follow-up visits are scheduled as needed to praise successful change, provide ongoing guidance, and establish new goals in a supportive and non-judgmental way. Parents are encouraged to contact your health insurance provider to determine referral requirements and obtain needed authorization.
Nutrition Education Workshops
We provide various nutrition education workshops throughout the year specific to the age/developmental level of children and adolescents. Classes are available and free of charge. Please contact 617-636-3381 to learn more.
Adolescent Weight Management Program
The Center for Youth Wellness offers in-depth assessments, a 10-week structured group program for youth, education and support for parents, and open communication between clinicians and the adolescent’s primary care provider. The Center does not provide evaluations for surgical treatment of obesity in adolescents. The CYW program has two parts—a comprehensive two-visit assessment and, for those eligible, a 10-week structured group program. Parents are encouraged to contact your health insurance provider to determine referral requirements and obtain needed authorization. There is funding available for those without insurance.
Visit the Patient Testimonials page to hear what teens are saying!
Comprehensive Two-Visit Assessment
Before attending the first assessment visit, adolescents and 1 parent/guardian are required to complete online assessment forms available on our secure Website. A user name and password are provided when the appointment is scheduled. If you have forgotten your user name and password, please call 617-636-3381.
Adolescents and at least 1 parent or legal guardian attend the assessment visits. The first assessment visit is about 90 minutes and occurs in the morning. About 30-45 minutes before the visit, patients arrive fasting (no food or beverages except water after 10:00 PM the night before the appointment) to have blood drawn at the hospital’s lab. The adolescent and parent then meet separately with a medical doctor, behaviorist, and dietitian. The purpose of the assessment visit is to identify any underlying medical, psychological, or nutritional conditions that could affect weight loss.
The second assessment visit occurs about 2 to 3 weeks later and lasts 15-20 minutes. A variety of days/times are available to schedule this appointment so that patients do not have to miss school. During the second visit, the CYW medical doctor shares findings from the first assessment, gives suggestions for recommended changes, and considers the 10-week group-based program. Most, but not all, adolescents who attend the assessment will be eligible to participate in the group program. If an adolescent is not eligible for the group program, the reasons will be discussed with the family and further recommendations given.
10-Week Structured Group Program
The group program occurs after school on Friday afternoons for 2 hours. There are 2 parts to the program: Nutrition/Behavior Change and Physical Activity.
Nutrition/Behavior Change Program (1 Hour)
Adolescents learn about nutrition, stress reduction, and how to successfully make changes. Topics covered include: balanced meals and snacks, portion size, healthy beverage choices, eating out, nourishing school lunches, on-the-go breakfasts, grocery shopping, label reading, food marketing, mindful eating, stress management, time management, goal setting, problem solving, and maintaining weight loss.
Classes are fun and interactive with hands-on activities to increase knowledge retention and skill development. Restrictive diets are not prescribed. Instead, the focus is placed on youth to increase nutrition knowledge and problem solving skills—empowering them to make those changes that are important to them. Healthy snacks are provided each week.
Physical Activity Program (1 Hour)
Adolescents take part in a variety of fun physical activities at the Chinatown YMCA. All adolescents receive a 12-week free membership to the Chinatown Y. Parents are eligible for a reduced membership rate. Each week youth are introduced to various physical activities such as: cardiovascular equipment (treadmill, bike, elliptical), free weights, strength training machines, aerobics class, yoga, volleyball, floor hockey and other fun games. The purpose of the physical activity program is to expose youth to many different types of activities so they feel comfortable engaging in activities on their own. Youth are also taught how to modify activities so they can perform the exercises at home if they do not have access to a health club.
Parent Education and Support
At least 1 parent/guardian is required to attend the assessment visits—both parents are encouraged to attend if possible. A one-time 90-minute parent education workshop is scheduled during the 10-week group program. The purpose of the workshop is to introduce parents to the nutrition and behavior change concepts being discussed with the youth as well as to assist parents in how to effectively support their son/daughter while they make changes.
Follow-Up Care
Adolescents completing the 10-week group program are eligible to attend the weight maintenance group held monthly. In addition, they return with 1 parent/guardian for a follow-up visit approximately 3 months after the program ends. The CYW team communicates with the adolescent’s primary care physician and encourages patients to do the same to assist with continued weight loss.
To learn more or to schedule an appointment, please call 617-636-3381 or email cyw@tuftsmedicalcenter.org.
If you have an appointment already scheduled and would like to complete your online assessment forms, please proceed to our secure Website and enter your user name and password. If you have forgotten your user name and password, please call 617-636-3381.
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