Pediatric Weight Management
Healthy Growth Support for Kids and Teens
Weight Management in Children
Maintaining a healthy weight is crucial for the physical, emotional, and developmental well-being of children. At our pediatric clinic, we provide personalized, compassionate support to help children and families adopt healthy lifestyle habits that promote balanced growth and prevent long-term health problems
Understanding Childhood Weight Issues
Weight issues in children can manifest as either being underweight or overweight/obese.
These challenges are often influenced by a combination of factors:
Genetics and metabolism
Your genes and metabolic rate influence how your body processes and stores energy.
Dietary habits and nutrition
What and how much you eat directly impacts your overall health and weight.
Physical activity levels
Regular exercise helps maintain a healthy body and boosts metabolism.
Emotional or psychological factors
Stress, anxiety, and emotional eating can affect eating patterns and weight.
Signs Your Child May Need Help With Weight
Medical conditions and some medications can also affect a child's weight. Talk to your pediatrician if you notice rapid weight gain or loss over a short period, or any of the signs below.
Difficulty keeping up with peers during physical activity
Excessive fatigue or shortness of breath
Emotional distress or social withdrawal
Persistent complaints of joint pain or gastrointestinal issues
Family history of weight-related health concerns
Our Weight Management Approach
We take a holistic and family-centered approach to help children reach and maintain a healthy weight. Our services include:
Comprehensive Evaluation
Growth chart assessment
BMI (Body Mass Index) monitoring
Lifestyle and nutrition history
Screening for medical causes of weight issues
BMI (Body Mass Index) monitoring
Lifestyle and nutrition history
Screening for medical causes of weight issues
Nutrition Counseling
Age-appropriate meal planning
Tips for healthy grocery shopping and meal prep
Guidance on portion control and balanced meals
Tips for healthy grocery shopping and meal prep
Guidance on portion control and balanced meals
Physical Activity Planning
Customized activity goals
Fun ways to increase daily movement
Screen time reduction strategies
Fun ways to increase daily movement
Screen time reduction strategies
Behavioral & Emotional Support
Counseling to address body image and self-esteem
Stress management techniques
Family involvement and education
Stress management techniques
Family involvement and education
Now Offering Telemedicine Appointments
Telephone and Online Health Care for Your Kids and Family
Pediatric Weight Management in Bolingbrook, Downers Grove and Darien
A2Z Pediatrics offers pediatric weight management for children and teens at our Bolingbrook, Downers Grove and Darien offices. A pediatrician checks your child’s growth and BMI, looks for medical causes, and builds a family-friendly plan for nutrition, activity and healthy habits. Call 630-755-5437 to start.
What is BMI-for-age percentile?
BMI is a number based on height and weight. For children, doctors do not use adult BMI cutoffs. They compare your child’s BMI with other children of the same age and sex, which gives a percentile. The CDC uses these categories for ages 2 to 19 (CDC child and teen BMI categories).
| Category | BMI-for-age percentile |
|---|---|
| Underweight | Below the 5th percentile |
| Healthy weight | 5th to below the 85th percentile |
| Overweight | 85th to below the 95th percentile |
| Obesity | 95th percentile or higher |
BMI is a screening tool, not a diagnosis. Your pediatrician looks at BMI together with the growth chart, family history, eating habits, activity and overall health.
What happens at a weight management visit
- Growth check. We measure height, weight and BMI and review your child’s growth chart.
- History. We ask about eating, activity, sleep, screen time, mood, medicines and family history.
- Medical screening. We look for medical causes that can affect weight.
- Family plan. We agree on small, realistic goals for meals, movement and daily habits.
Need extra help with food choices? See our pediatric nutritional consultation page. For teens, see adolescent health, and for a yearly checkup see school physicals.
When to call us
- Your child gained or lost weight quickly
- Your child is tired, short of breath or avoids physical activity
- Your child is not gaining weight or growing as expected
- Your child feels upset about their body or eats in secret or skips meals
Office hours
All three offices share the same hours: Mon and Wed 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM, Tue and Thu 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Fri 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, Sat 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM, Sun closed.
Weight management FAQs
How do you know if a child’s weight is healthy?
Doctors compare your child’s BMI with other children of the same age and sex, using a BMI-for-age percentile. They also look at the growth chart over time, because the trend matters more than one number. Your pediatrician explains the result and what it means for your child.
Is pediatric weight management only for children who are overweight?
No. We also help children who are underweight or who are not gaining weight as expected. The first step is the same: measure growth, ask about eating and activity, and look for medical causes. Then we build a plan that fits your child and family.
Will my child be put on a diet?
Our focus is healthy habits for the whole family, such as balanced meals, portion sizes, more movement and less screen time. Strict diets are not a good fit for growing children. The plan is set with you and your child at the visit.
What should I bring to a weight management visit?
Bring your insurance card, a list of your child’s medicines, and any past growth records or lab results. It also helps to write down what your child eats on a typical day, how much they move and any family history of weight-related health problems.
Can weight problems be caused by a medical condition?
Yes. Some medical conditions and some medicines can affect a child’s weight. This is why we screen for medical causes at the first visit, especially if weight changed quickly. Call us if your child gained or lost weight fast over a short period.
How do I book a weight management visit?
Call 630-755-5437 or use our online request form, and tell us your concern. We have offices in Bolingbrook, Downers Grove and Darien. We are accepting new patients, and current patients can also book by phone.
