IDEAL Clinic
The Improving Diet, Energy and Activity for Life (IDEAL) Clinic Obesity Program is a pediatric weight management and health education program that brings together a comprehensive team of physicians, researchers and healthcare professionals for children and teens committed to preventing and treating childhood obesity.
Our Providers
Our pediatric specialists provide personalized care for your child’s physical, mental and emotional health needs.
Contact Information
For appointments, please call 1-888-884-BEAR (2327) and for information, call 202-476-7200.
Choosing Children’s National for Preventing and Treating Childhood Obesity
Highlights of our program include:
- Family-centered programs. Obesity is a chronic medical condition influenced by environmental, social, economic, behavioral and genetic factors. Through our innovative programs and interventions, we find out what your family needs to be successful, and we support you in your efforts to make lifestyle modifications that have a positive impact on health.
- Multidisciplinary care. Our clinical team is made up of physicians, nurse practitioners and registered dieticians. All patients in our program will receive a complete medical evaluation as well as individualized diet and lifestyle counseling with a dietician experienced in working with patients with obesity.
- Care for children to young adults. Our team is experienced in caring for the physical as well as psychological differences between children and teenagers. We prepare teens to continue their healthy lifestyles into adulthood, as they enter the workforce or go off to college.
- Personalized medical and surgical care. We recognize obesity as a multifactorial condition that may not respond to lifestyle and utilize medications and bariatric surgery when clinically indicated.
Improving your child’s health is our priority because children who are at an unhealthy weight are at greater risk for serious health problems such as:
- Hypertension
- Dyslipidemia/Hypercholesterolemia
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea
- Prediabetes and Type 2 Diabetes
- Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
- Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
- Acanthosis Nigricans
- Skin breakdown and infections
- Musculoskeletal conditions (Slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE), Blount’s disease)
- Psychosocial issues
- Nutritional deficiencies (Vitamin D)
Conditions We Treat
Understanding your child's condition is an important step in your treatment journey. Learn more about causes, symptoms and diagnosis for a variety of conditions, as well as unique treatments and research being performed at Children's National Hospital.
Bariatric Surgery
Our Bariatric Surgery Program provides a durable weight management solution for children and adolescents who are struggling with their weight and associated comorbidities. We consult with you to discuss the options and develop a preparatory and post-procedure plan for successful outcomes. Our bariatric surgery team offers pediatric laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, a mainstay of our program, which demonstrates the best outcome for most children and adolescents suffering from obesity.
Referral Guidelines
The IDEAL Clinic includes pediatricians, pediatric nurse practitioners and clinical dietitians. Our multidisciplinary team helps children and teens live a healthier lifestyle, achieve a healthy BMI and reduce the risk of obesity-related complications. The team meets with patients every four to eight weeks and can extend to a duration of greater than one year, depending on the needs of the patient and their families.
Children and adolescents between the ages of 2 and 18 may be referred to the IDEAL Clinic (Obesity Program) at Children’s National.
The IDEAL Clinic sees children who meet the following guidelines:
- BMI > 95th percentile who have failed to lose weight after dietary and activity counseling by the primary care provider and or nutritionist/health educator
- BMI > 95th percentile with dyslipidemia, elevated fasting insulin, fasting glucose or hypertension
- BMI > 95th percentile with elevated liver function tests
- BMI > 95th percentile with orthopaedic complications such as Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis or Blount’s disease
For Providers
Refer a Patient
Children and adolescents between the ages of 2 and 18 may be referred to the IDEAL Clinic at Children’s National.
Patient Stories
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Renesha's StoryWhen Renesha came to Children's at 19-years-old, she weighed 286 pounds. Now, after her treatment through the Obesity Program, she's a self-proclaimed "health freak," encouraging her family and friends to work out and eat healthy with her.
Sabrina's StoryAt just 13 years old, Sabrina had already exhausted the endless list of weight-loss diets and programs that had promised her "real" results. And to her ever-deepening frustration and despair, nothing was working.
Erica's StoryMost beauty queens hope for world peace, but one teen pageant contestant wants to tackle an issue that consumes the Washington, D.C., region.
