Skip to main content

Weight Management Program

A child receives care in Children's Mercy's Weight Management Program.
 

Effective weight management involves caring for the whole person. Kids in our Weight Management program receive care from a dedicated team of experts who are passionate about helping people have a healthier lifestyle.

Our team includes registered dietitians, exercise physiologists, pediatric psychologists, education coordinators, social workers, pediatricians, nurses and nurse practitioners. We partner with families, children, and teens to create actionable plans to help them achieve and maintain a healthier weight.

The Weight Management program is part of Kansas City’s Center for Children’s Healthy Lifestyles & Nutrition under the leadership of Center Director Ann Davis, PhD, MPH, ABPP. As a partnership between Children’s Mercy, the University of Kansas Medical Center and other academic institutions, the Center represents an extension of the community’s collaboration in the area of pediatric obesity research.

The Metabolic/Bariatric Clinic cares for children and teens who need more specialized support to achieve a healthier lifestyle.

Weight loss surgery may be an option for teens and young adults who have tried medically-supervised weight loss programs but still struggle with obesity.

PHIT Kids is a weight management clinic for children and teens with obesity who want to make positive lifestyle changes.

The Special Needs Weight Management Clinic serves children and teens who are carrying excess weight and also have other physical or developmental health concerns.

Whole-person care


Carrying excess weight can impact many different parts of your life and health.

In all of our Weight Management Clinics, we emphasize whole-person care. This includes areas like:

  • Nutrition
  • Sleep
  • Exercise
  • Mental health
  • Medication management
  • Social and emotional support needs

Your Weight Management team can also collaborate with any other health care providers who are involved in your care.

 

Stories

Bariatric surgery: Lane’s story

When Lane was 17 years old and unable to lose weight through diet and exercise alone, he decided weight loss surgery was his best option. Through the Bariatric Surgery Program at Children’s Mercy, Lane lost over 200 pounds and continues to pursue a healthy lifestyle following his life-changing surgery.

Healthy lifestyle goals:

  • 8 hours of sleep a day
  • 7 breakfasts a week
  • 6 home cooked meals a week
  • 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day
  • 4 positive self-messages a day
  • 3 servings of low-fat dairy a day
  • 2 hours of screen time maximum a day
  • 1 hour of physical activity a day
  • 0 sugar-sweetened drinks

Family resources


These helpful tips from our PHIT Kids program can get your family started on a healthier lifestyle today.

Jumpstart Your Family's Health
Jumpstart Your Family's Health (Spanish)

If you are coming to Children's Mercy for an indirect calorimetry test, this photo story can help your child know what to expect.

Contact us


For questions or more information about our Weight Management programs, please call (816) 234-9231.