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Specialized Services |
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WATCH Clinic
The Weight Assessment for Teen and Child Health (WATCH) Clinic at UCSF Children's Hospital has been helping children since August 2003. The clinic brings together doctors, nutritionists, exercise physiologists and psychologists with expertise diagnosing and treating childhood obesity. The team of experts evaluates patients and their families both behaviorally and biochemically, paying close attention to the links between biochemistry and behavior, especially as they apply to energy balance.
The clinic assists with weight management while also treating other diseases the child may have associated to weight, such as asthma, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes. Weight management is achieved through nutrition education and behavior modification. Drug and surgical therapy is considered when appropriate. The clinic's research efforts examine the causes and treatments of obesity.
Team of Experts
At the WATCH Clinic, doctors, nutritionist and other experts work together to help children and teens with weight issues. The team includes:
- Dr. Robert Lustig, pediatric endocrinologist and director of the WATCH Clinic
- Dr. Michele Mietus-Snyder, pediatric cardiologist
- Dr. Cam-Tu Tran, director of the Healthy Lifestyle Clinic and chief of Pediatrics at San Francisco General Hospital Medical Center (SFGHMC)
- Dr. Kristine Madsen, pediatric fellow
- Andrea Garber, nutritionist and coordinator of the WATCH Clinic
- Joan Orrell-Valente, psychologist
Appointments
Children need a referral from their primary care doctor to be seen at the WATCH Clinic. Currently there is a three to five month waiting list, but the clinic is working to see as many patients as possible.
Clinic Process
First Visit
During the first clinic visit, children go through the following:
Blood Draw -- At the first visit, children have their blood drawn to check their fasting glucose and insulin levels. Teaching Breakfast -- Because the children cannot eat before their blood test, they're often rather hungry. A crucial part of the first visit is a teaching breakfast lead by nutritionist Andrea Garber who talks about principles of healthy eating while the children and their parents taste the examples. The breakfast includes an assortment of high-fiber breads and cereals, low-fat milk and yogurt, fruit, nuts and other healthy items. All of the food is donated by Trader Joes. Doctor Visit -- Either before or after the breakfast, the children visit with one of the clinic's doctors who accesses their weight and health. Children with other health issues connected to their weight, such as asthma or high blood pressure, meet with additional doctors in those specialties. Fitnessgram -- The children are taken to the Millberry Union Fitness Center to assess their fitness. Exercise physiologists give the children tips on safely increasing their physical activity and talk about the benefits of exercise.
Follow-Up
After the first visit, children return every three months for follow-up appointments. During these visits the children meet with the doctor and have individual sessions with the nutritionist and psychologist as needed to talk about their nutrition and behavior changes.
More Information
For more information, please contact:
WATCH Clinic
(415) 353-2813
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