POWER Clinic Fast Facts

The POWER program aims to improve the health of children. POWER believes that weight loss is best achieved through a positive youth development approach. The essential assets for positive youth development, including support, empowerment, boundaries and expectations, constructive use of time, positive values, social competencies, and positive identity, will be explored in each aspect of the POWER Program.

What to Expect:

• The POWER program is a 6 month weight management and fitness enhancing program. Prior to scheduling the first appointment, you will receive a packet of program information and an intake questionnaire. When the POWER team has received a referral from your Primary Care Physician we will mail this packet home to you. We request that you mail in or bring the complete packet for your initial appointment.
• Upon enrollment, participation in the POWER program will involve the following:
• The initial visit will be 3 hours in length, and you will meet with a dietitian, physical therapist, psychologist, and pediatrician. Your child will complete lab work and initial fitness assessments including field tests for cardiovascular conditioning, strength and flexibility. Please have him/her wear sneakers and bring any necessary asthma medications!
• Follow-up visits will occur seven times over the first three months. These appointments will consist of a 20-30 minute visit with a pediatrician or nurse practitioner, physical therapist, dietitian, or psychologist (patient will rotate visits with each specialist).
• Following the successful completion of these 3 months, patients will begin 3 months of monthly group sessions to be held in the evening. Group session topics will include exercise, nutrition, and behavior management.

If you feel this will be a program you are interested in, please ask your primary care physician about signing up. If you have more questions please call us at 317-948-5888.

Complications of Childhood Obesity

Different organs that can be affected:

• Brain: Depression, sleep disturbance, headaches, poor self esteem
• Liver: Fatty liver/cirrhosis
• Joints: Risk of fractures, dislocated growth plate in hip socket, bowed knees, flat feet, pain in feet/hips/ knees/lower back
• Lungs: Increased risk of asthma
• Heart: High Cholesterol, high triglycerides, high blood pressure, chronic inflammation that damages blood vessels
• Gallbladder: Increase risk of gallstones
• Pancreas: Diabetes, acanthosis nigricans(dark skin around neck), insulin resistance
• Digestive System: Acid reflux, constipation
• Young females could suffer polycystic ovarian syndrome, changes in hormone levels causing ovarian cysts, irregular menstrual cycles, and excessive hair growth