Adolescent bariatrics and weight management

Specialists in Penn Medicine’s bariatric surgery and weight management care focus on the unique needs of adolescents to treat childhood obesity, encouraging your child to have the confidence to make lasting changes.

Our adolescent weight loss programs are medically supervised and guided by the latest clinical evidence. Care is provided by specialists with expertise in adolescent obesity medicine, nutrition, bariatric surgery, and other areas. Your child’s care may include nutritional guidance, physical activity programs, teen weight management counseling, and medications.

If you’re considering weight-loss surgery for your teen, we provide several options and approaches, including minimally invasive techniques and robotic bariatric surgery. We also meet the high safety and care standards set by the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP), which has designated the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania a comprehensive center with adolescent qualifications.

Activate KIDS! Weight Loss Program

An important part of helping kids reach their weight loss goals is to make it fun. Activate KIDS! Weight Loss Program, offered in Lancaster, is an eight-week family-centered program designed for children ages seven to 12. Our classes get kids moving through games and activities. Healthy food demonstrations and taste tests introduce them to the flavors of eating well. And our experts help foster positive emotional well-being as your child learns healthy lifestyle changes.

Our providers also teach kids about emotional eating, body confidence, and building self-esteem. For more details, call 717-544-0600.

The Penn Medicine-CHOP partnership in adolescent bariatrics

For some adolescents, weight loss surgery may be recommended when other methods haven’t led to weight loss. The Adolescent Bariatric Program is a unique partnership between the staff of the Health and Well-being Clinic at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and the Hospital at the University of Pennsylvania (HUP). We collaborate to provide pediatric bariatric surgery and support to adolescents between the ages of 15 and 20.

A team at CHOP evaluates your child to determine if surgery is the right treatment option. If recommended, the procedure is done at HUP. You and your child can expect exceptional care that includes:

• Experienced surgeons using the most advanced surgical techniques available
• A team of dietitians, psychologists, and other specialists who address your child’s medical, nutritional, and emotional needs
• Support during every step, including before and after surgery and during follow-up visits

Meeting with peers can help ease your child’s anxiety about surgery. The Adolescent Support Group at CHOP meets twice a month and is open to adolescents and their parents or caregivers. The group meets in Room B on the sixth floor at 3535 Market Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. You can RSVP by calling 267-426-2782.