1. About the Clinic
The Helen Devos Children’s Hospital Healthy Weight
Center, located in Grand Rapids, Michigan , is an
interdisciplinary clinic designed to treat patients ages
2-18 years who have been referred by a primary care
physician due to excessive weight gain and/or a body
mass index (BMI) in the 95 percentile or greater. The
Healthy Weight Center staff includes two
pediatricians, a psychologist, an exercise physiologist,
a registered dietician and a medical social worker.
The clinical team works to treat patients by
addressing any present medical issues and striving to
improve their long-term health by getting these
children patients and their families to adopt healthy
habits into their everyday lives.
The ‘Healthy Counts’ poster (shown above) is
something we give to every patient, for its serves as
an effective model of the overall message of the
Healthy Weight Center
NEW ME
By teaching patients the skills they need to feel comfortable
exercising, we are giving them tools for successful lifelong
weight management. The Healthy Weight Center and the
YMCA partnered to create the NEW ME program; an
exercise-based program that focuses on fitness education
and instruction. During NEW ME classes, interns lead
patients and their families through different workout
routines, fitness classes and games. By the end of the 14
week program, our hope is that patients and their families
not only improved their physical condition, but also that they
are now confident exercising on their own and have the
knowledge to do it effectively.
Other Events and Opportunities
Madison Square Church: Volunteered at a local church’s summer
camp where the other HWC interns and I were able to educate
youths about the benefits of physical wellness and fitness.
Cooking Matters: An 8-part cooking class offered to patients in the
NEW ME program. Teaches cooking skills, healthy recipes and basic
dietary principles that will promote a healthy lifestyle.
Track and Field Day: Interns planned an facilitated this exciting,
dynamic event for patients to participate and get active.
Our Mission Statement
Weight management is built on a foundation of respect.
For this reason, we form a solid working partnership
between family members and our specialist. In the
process, we honor the strengths, cultures and traditions
that make a
relationship
that much
stronger. Our
goal is to teach
healthy lifestyle
strategies and
behaviors so
that weight can
be successfully
managed for a lifetime.
Clinical Responsibilities as an Intern
• Graded-exercise testing
• Pulmonary function testing
• Anthropometric measurements
• Exercise equipment calibration and maintenance
• Exercise education
and prescription
• Document creation
• Data recording
• Exercise leader
during the NEW ME
fitness program
• Planning events for
patients and families
• Contacting patients
via mail and phone
• Assess patient’s
sleep schedule,
screen time and
physical activity level
By: Jeff Cremonte