Strong4Life Clinic Medical Approach

We believe treating childhood obesity requires a trained, supportive team who understands your child’s condition and behavioral needs. We offer complete educational and family support to work through your concerns and help you and your child plan for success in the future.

Using our evidence-based curriculum and multiple treatment tracks, we will develop a plan just for your child to manage and treat any obesity-related illnesses and to help you and your family make the lifestyle changes that lead to long-term health improvement.

Our doctors, nurses and staff are specially trained to care for children under the age of 21. From colorful, friendly waiting rooms to equipment designed to fit young patients of all sizes, every detail is designed specifically for kids and teens.

• Because our team is specifically trained in pediatrics and bariatrics, we understand the challenges of weight management and provide a nonjudgmental, caring environment.
• Unlike many adult hospitals, we address life transitions that affect teens. We know life changes such as leaving home, getting a first job or going to college are exciting events. Our team can help your teen learn how to maintain healthy habits as they grow more independent of your family.
• We cover curriculum for food and activity before and after surgery to help your family get the most benefit from the program.

Led by medical director and board-certified pediatrician Jessica Reilly, MD, our team works with families to provide medical management and to develop personalized physical activity, nutrition and behavior plans that are supervised and coordinated by the clinical staff to help achieve success.

To be eligible for the Strong4Life Clinic, patients must meet the following criteria:

• Children and adolescents, ages 2 to 20 years old
• Diagnosis of Class 3 obesity (BMI >140th of the 95th percentile)
• Diagnosis of Class 2 (BMI >120th of the 95th percentile) with obesity with a weight-related comorbidity (e.g., prediabetes, dyslipidemia or steatotic liver disease, obstructive sleep apnea, PCOS, HTN)
• Interest in bariatric surgery (must meet surgery qualifications)

To schedule an appointment with the Strong4Life Clinic, we need the following:

1. A referral from the child's physician
2. A new patient packet filled out by the caregiver (available in English and Spanish)

Fill out the new patient packet (also available via QR code below).

Referral from your child's doctor
Please ask your child's doctor to fax your referral to 404-785-9111. It should include:

• Most recent clinic notes
• Most recent lab work results
• Growth charts
• Demographics
• Contact information

For general questions related to the Strong4Life Clinic, call 404-785-5437 or email Strong4LifeClinic@choa.org.

Note: Due to high demand, scheduling priority is given to the following groups:

• Patients with severe Class 3 obesity, with multiple comorbid conditions
• Children younger than 6 years old
• Adolescents pursuing bariatric surgery