Children's Mercy

Looking Ahead In addition to offering community programs and supporting healthy lifestyles, the Center for Children's Healthy Lifestyles and Nutrition is also a research center, working to better understand issues that affect young people. This kind of research is the only way to understand the root causes of obesity, so we can develop not only treatments but better prevention in the critical childhood years. Examples of ongoing research include a study on obesity in children with autism and another investigating how brain activity affects pediatric weight-loss success. Recently, new investigators joined the Center's research team, expanding its capacity to research the genetics of childhood obesity to help young people live longer, healthier lives. W hether your family is trying to get healthy or stay healthy, the Center for Children's Healthy Lifestyles and Nutrition has programs, support and research that can help you on your journey. WEIGHT MANAGEMENT AND MORE Childhood obesity is an issue of epidemic proportions. In Missouri, more than 28 percent of adolescents are overweight or obese and that number jumps to nearly 30 percent for children ages 2 to 5. To combat this unhealthy trend, the Center offers on-site weight management clinics such as the PHIT Kids treatment program for children 9 and older, an educational program for children ages 2 to 8 called Zoom to Health, and the Healthy Hawks family-focused program designed to teach families good habits while encouraging them to spend more quality time together. Off-site, the community has embraced the mission of the Center, participating in programs such as Weighing In and 12345 Fit-Tastic! "Individuals and organizations are thankful to have ways to come together to combat childhood obesity and other pediatric issues," says Ann Davis, PhD, MPH, ABPP, Director of the Center for Children's Healthy Lifestyles and Nutrition, and Professor of Pediatrics at KU School of Medicine. "Our professionals also specialize in helping children with diabetes, disabilities and pain syndromes. We try to be a true community resource for the health and well-being of children." HISTORY OF HELPING The Center was founded in 2007 by Children's Mercy and KU School of Medicine. Since then, the Center has gone on to positively impact the lives of hundreds of children and their families each year. "Our goal is to be the premier pediatric healthy lifestyle center in the country," Davis says. "We do that with community programs, education, research and clinical support for doctors and families." For more information about the programs offered at the Center for Children's Healthy Lifestyles and Nutrition and how to enroll your child, visit www.chlnkc.org. Your Faculty from Children's Mercy and the University of Kansas School of Medicine come together in a unique partnership to find solutions for better health for our kids. Healthier Family Resource 10 Safe & Sound Winter 2015

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