Pediatric fitness: Helping children develop healthy habits

Our unique UW Health Kids Fitness Clinic combines education with fun to help children and teens learn the importance of activity and good nutrition.

Working with the entire family, we perform a medical evaluation, look at exercise habits, diet and family health history to put together a plan for making healthier lifestyle choices. Plans always start with a focus on nutrition and activity changes as our goal is to assist children and families in achieving greater fitness, healthy bodies and the confidence to stay active and healthy throughout their lives.

For some children, medications may be discussed at a follow up visit, but they are not usually the first course of treatment and are most effective when combined with appropriate lifestyle changes. In many cases, insurance only considers covering medication for obesity for children 12 and over who have diabetes.

The first appointment includes:

  • A health exam to evaluate medical status

  • Body composition scan, to measure a child's muscle, bone and fat

  • Exercise to track fitness levels and set goals

  • Nutrition consult to review diet and set healthy balanced eating goals.

After a plan is given, follow-up visits are coordinated by our care team, the patient and their family. Depending on the care plan, return visits may be scheduled every 1-2 months to monitor progress closely and review goals, or every 6-12 months for program maintenance and fitness testing.

Clinic patients are invited to join Get Fit, monitored exercise therapy program, held in our exercise science lab weekly. The goal of Get Fit is to take the individual exercise plan discussed at the clinic visit and put it into action. All aspects of exercise are explored cardiovascular, flexibility and strength, at each session.

To refer a patient or schedule an appointment for your child, call (608) 263-5210.

Parents interested in the program should contact their insurance provider for benefit information prior to scheduling the first appointment. If your insurance company requires a referral for this visit, please ask your child’s doctor to submit a referral electronically or via fax. If they have any questions, they can call (608) 263-5210.

Take a tour of our UW Health Kids Fitness Clinic
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