Location: Kluge Children's Rehabilitation Center
2270 Ivy Road Charlottesville, VA 22903
Phone: 434-982-1607
1-800-251-3627 ext. 2-1607
Fax: 434-982-6278
Email: uva-cfc@virginia.edu or sbc2n@virginia.edu, Susan Cluett, N.P., Program Director
Clinic Hours: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 9:00AM - 5:00 PM; Friday 9:00AM - 12:00N
Victoria Norwood, M.D. - Medical Director
Susan Cluett, C.R.N.P. - Program Director
Layla Lee O'Leary, M.Ed. - Outreach Program Coordinator
Angie Hasemann, R.D. - Registered Dietitian
What is Our Program?
The University of Virginia Children's Fitness Clinic (CFC) is a six-month behavior modification program to help you and your overweight child make healthy lifestyle changes in a positive, team-structured environment. The CFC is the first multidisciplinary weight management clinic in Virginia. Our team includes a registered dietitian, an exercise physiologist and a nurse practitioner. We perform an initial evaluation of your child, including a medical exam. Based on your child's individual needs, the clinic works closely with you and your child to develop a treatment plan with realistic goals for improving your child's health through dietary and lifestyle changes.
Our Mission is to:
- promote a healthy lifestyle among children
- decrease childhood obesity through nutrition and activity goals
The CFC program is for children who are at or above the 85th percentile in body mass index (BMI). This is a measure of the child's weight relative to age and height and a common method for assessing a person's adiposity, or body fat. An elevated BMI increases risk for high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, elevated cholesterol and cardiovascular disease.
Your Child Should Be Referred If:BMI is at the 85th percentile or higher Your family has a history of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, or obesity |
What About Insurance?Most of our patients are referred by their primary care provider, though a referral is not always necessary. Please call your insurance company and inquire about coverage for our services. |
Why a Healthy Lifestyle is ImportantBeing overweight or obese as a child can lead to type 2 diabetes, heart disease, depression, and a shorter life span. Making healthy lifestyle changes as soon as possible can help prevent these problems. |
What Parents Can DoAsk your child's healthcare provider to measure your child's BMI at each visit. If your child is at or above the 85th percentile, and has not been successful with lifestyle change, speak with your PCP about a referral to our clinic. You may also contact us at any time if you are concerned about your child's weight or inactivity. It is never too soon to help your child make healthier lifestyle choices. |
Health Tips for Parents!
- Follow the Food Guide Pyramid as your map for healthy eating. Encourage your child to eat fruits and vegetables at every meal and introduce them to a large variety.
- Encourage your child to eat breakfast every day and model this behavior.
- Watch portions of your child's food.
- Choose healthy options when eating out.
- Drink healthy beverages. Avoid drinks with more than 10 calories/serving.
- For more nutrition tips, go to EatRight.org.
- Your child should participate in at least 1 hour of moderate to vigorous physical activity every day... 2 hours is even better!
- For home fitness ideas, check out SparkPeople.com and local resources like Charlottesville City Parks and Recreation and Albemarle County Parks and Recreation for structured activities.
- Review your child's height, weight, and BMI and discuss their diet and activity level with your healthcare provider at each visit.
- Reduce your child's screen time. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no more than 2 hours of screen time per day for children: this includes television, computers, video games and hand-held games.
Outreach and Collaborations
Growing Up Healthy
Thanks to the generous support of Kohl's®, relevant teaching tools and prizes for the children are incorporated into the program and help to promote enthusiasm as well as knowledge about nutrition and exercise. Designed by the CFC team, the nutrition and wellness curriculum is taught by UVA medical students to children who participate in the Extended Day Care Program in Albemarle County Schools. To date, GUH has been implemented in eight Albemarle County Schools, reached over 300 children, and involved 20 UVA Medical students. This year we will be working with:
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Community Obesity Task Force
The UVA Fitness Clinic has been a participant with the Family Health and Fitness Camp of the Thomas Jefferson Health District's Childhood Obesity Taskforce for the past two years. TelemedicineThe CFC collaborates with the Craig County Health Department and Public Schools and the UVA Health System Office of Telemedicine to reach families statewide. |
NACHRIThe Children's Fitness Clinic was selected via a national search by NACHRI (National Association of Children's Hospitals and Related Institutions) to participate in the Obesity Focus Group to help define the best strategies to combat childhood obesity. |
The Growing Up Healthy Program (GUH) is an innovative collaboration between the UVA Children's Fitness Clinic, the Social Issues in Medicine course at the University of Virginia Medical School, and the Albemarle County Extended Day Care Program. Begun in 2006, the program teaches Kindergarten through 5th grade students about healthy nutrition and lifestyle habits to maintain a strong body and mind.