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Who to refer to the POWER clinic:
POWER understands that childhood obesity is a complicated condition with many variables factoring into the diagnosis and treatment of each individual patient. Therefore rigid inclusion/exclusion criteria have not been set for referral into POWER clinic participation. In general the ideal POWER patient will be between the ages of two and 18 years of age, with a BMI >95 percentile for age/sex adjusted norms or a BMI >85 percentile with complications associated with obesity. Overall, we request your judgment in determining if the child needs to be referred to a tertiary care center intensive program.
85-95% BMI
Indianapolis Area – Committed to Kids Family Program
Outside Indianapolis
More severe cases above 95% or other factors with or related to obesity
- The POWER clinic aims to provide services to about 300 youth and their families each year.
- This is an intensive lifestyle and fitness-enhancing program.
- Various laboratory tests will be performed at enrollment.
- After enrollment, participation in the POWER clinic will involve the following:
- Prior to scheduling the first appointment patients will receive in the mail an intensive intake questionnaire and program information. After review and completion, patients will be contacted by POWER staff and scheduled for the initial appointment.
- The initial visit will be two-to-three hours in length where the family will meet with a dietitian, exercise physiologist, behavorialist and pediatrician. At the time of the initial visit the patient will complete lab work and initial fitness assessments including field tests for cardiovascular conditioning, strength and flexibility.
- Follow up visits in the first 12 weeks will occur once every other week. These appointments will consist of a 20 minute visit with a medical doctor, exercise physiologist, dietician, or social worker (patient will rotate visits with each specialist).
- Following the successful completion of these sessions, patients will begin 12 weeks of monthly group sessions to be held in the evening. Group session topics will rotate between exercise, nutrition and behavior management; families will be able to choose their sessions.
- Following the successful completion of the second phase, families will enter the final phase of the POWER clinic and begin every other month group sessions for the remainder of the 12 month program. Group session topics will rotate between exercise, nutrition and behavior management; families will be able to choose their sessions.
- Discharge: Upon completion of the full 12 month clinical program, ideally patients will see an increase in their quality of life, improved BMI and improved fitness level.
- Family Goals and POWER Activities
- Patients will set and reach healthy weight goals pertaining to physical fitness, activity level and weight.
- Patients will develop individualized health plans to encourage increased activity and decreased caloric intake.
- Patients will participate in individual sessions, behavioral modification, and group activity sessions.
- Patients will be responsible for keeping a 72 hour food log, wearing a pedometer for 24 hours at a time, and completing an activity log.
- BMI will be tracked at all clinical visits.
- Incentives may be offered to encourage program compliance.
How do I refer into the POWER program?
Online POWER Referral Form goes to mgerken@iupui.edu.
Questions or to call in a referral to POWER, call: 317-274-3774.
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