About the Program

PowerPlay^™ is a physician-supervised weight loss program designed specifically to meet the needs of adolescents ages 12-18.

The program was designed by a team of trained professionals in Pediatrics, Childhood Psychology, Public Health, Bariatrics, and Nutrition and consists of individual and family consultation, a multivitamin supplement, and nutrition and exercise education. The medical staff at PowerPlay^™ is dedicated to providing our patients the support, motivation, and education they need to lose weight and transition to a healthier lifestyle. PowerPlay^™ is committed to empowering our youth today, so they can live a healthier tomorrow.

The Support and Education You Need!

After the initial consultation, you will meet weekly with your PowerPlay^™ counselor. Your parents are asked to attend these meetings every other week. These weekly visits include the following:

• Consultation with a PowerPlay^™ counselor or physician to determine progress and overcome obstacles to success
• History and physical, including weigh-in and BMI plotting
• Journal review and recommended changes
• Exercise review and counseling

Why Choose the PowerPlay^™ Program?

• We provide weekly support, encouragement, and motivation.
• Our counselors educate you on how to lose weight in the real world, using real food.
• You will have access to current information about nutrition, delicious recipes, and text messaging food journaling and fitness tracking online.
• We teach you how to overcome temptations and win the weight loss battle.

Q and A for PowerPlay^™ Parents

What is childhood obesity?

Childhood obesity is a condition where excess body fat negatively affects a child's health or well-being. The CDC has defined a child as obese when their body mass index (BMI) is greater than the 95th percentile. Over the last two decades, the number of overweight children has increased by 50%, and the number of obese children has nearly doubled. Today, one out of every three adolescents is overweight or obese.

Why is childhood obesity a problem?

Obesity increases the risk for serious health problems and may lead to low self-esteem as a result of teasing and bullying by peers. Kids who are unhappy with their weight may be more likely to develop low self-esteem, depression, substance abuse, or unhealthy dieting habits and eating disorders. Medical problems that are known consequences of obesity include:

• High blood pressure, high cholesterol, and/or high triglycerides that can lead to heart disease, heart failure, or stroke in adulthood
• Type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance that can lead to kidney failure, blindness, heart disease, and peripheral vascular disease (decreased blood flow and sensation to fingers/toes) in adulthood
• Bone and joint problems
• Restless or disordered sleep patterns; i.e., obstructive sleep apnea
• Shortness of breath that makes any physical activity more difficult and may increase the chance of developing or aggravate the symptoms of asthma
• Early physical and sexual maturation
• Females with irregular menstrual cycles and fertility problems in adulthood
• Liver disease
• Gall bladder disease/stones
• Depression

Today's children are the first generation of Americans who will have a shorter life expectancy than their parents. Obese children have even been proven to show early warning signs of future heart disease as early as 3 years old!

What contributes to childhood obesity?

• Today's youth are eating and drinking more calories than ever.
• Fast food has played a large role in the development of obesity in America. Children eat about 187 extra calories on days that they eat fast food.
• Juices and soda are a source of calories without significant nutrition. Juice is loaded with calories and sugar and does not possess the benefits of fiber that a piece of fruit contains.
• Today's youth are playing outside, running, and exercising LESS, while sitting in front of a television or computer screen more. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends less than 2 hours per day of screen time.
• Medications and diseases, such as hormone problems and genetic syndromes, can also lead to excessive weight gain without adequate weight and nutrition management and education.

How Can PowerPlay^™ Help?

PowerPlay^™ is a physician-supervised weight loss program designed specifically to meet the need of adolescents ages 12-18. The program was designed by a team of trained professionals in Pediatrics, Childhood Psychology, Public Health, Bariatrics, and Nutrition and consists of individual and family consultation, a multivitamin supplement, and nutrition and exercise education. The medical staff at PowerPlay^™ is dedicated to providing our patients the support, motivation, and education they need to lose weight and transition to a healthier lifestyle. PowerPlay^™ is committed to empowering our youth today, so they can live a healthier tomorrow.