One out of five children is classified as obese in the United States. These children risk suffering from obesity-related illnesses, including diabetes, obstructive sleep apnea, heart failure, stroke, gall bladder disease and more. Specialists in Pediatric Cardiology at Stony Brook University Medical Center offer a program that introduces healthy lifestyle modification to children ages 8-18. Children who qualify for the Pediatric Preventive Cardiovascular Risk Program are those referred by their primary care provider with elevated body mass index greater than 85th percentile. The program is comprised of a comprehensive semi-weekly nutritional, physical and behavioral curriculum. Screening Cardiac Evaluations are performed to determine program eligibility. If eligible, the program runs two days per week over a ten-week period and all sessions are overseen by a nutritionist and cardiologist. Children already enrolled have demonstrated positive behavioral changes that lead to lowering body mass indexes, percentage body fat and systolic blood pressure. The program is designed to have long-lasting effects that promote a shift toward healthier eating habits and active lifestyles. Children and their families are given the skills needed to resist unnecessary or harmful calories. Led by director of non-invasive Pediatric Cardiology and Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Dr. Peter J. Morelli, the program mainly focuses on children who are overweight, hypertensive or have hyperlipidemia. Most insurance plans are accepted. If you feel that your child would benefit from the Pediatric Preventive Cardiovascular Risk Program, call 631-444-KIDS (5437).

One out of five children is classified as obese in the United States. These children risk suffering from obesity-related illnesses, including diabetes, obstructive sleep apnea, heart failure, stroke, gall bladder disease and more. Specialists in Pediatric Cardiology at Stony Brook University Medical Center offer a program that introduces healthy lifestyle modification to children ages 8-18. Children who qualify for the Pediatric Preventive Cardiovascular Risk Program are those referred by their primary care provider with elevated body mass index greater than 85th percentile. The program is comprised of a comprehensive semi-weekly nutritional, physical and behavioral curriculum. Screening Cardiac Evaluations are performed to determine program eligibility. If eligible, the program runs two days per week over a ten-week period and all sessions are overseen by a nutritionist and cardiologist. Children already enrolled have demonstrated positive behavioral changes that lead to lowering body mass indexes, percentage body fat and systolic blood pressure. The program is designed to have long-lasting effects that promote a shift toward healthier eating habits and active lifestyles. Children and their families are given the skills needed to resist unnecessary or harmful calories. Led by director of non-invasive Pediatric Cardiology and Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Dr. Peter J. Morelli, the program mainly focuses on children who are overweight, hypertensive or have hyperlipidemia. Most insurance plans are accepted. If you feel that your child would benefit from the Pediatric Preventive Cardiovascular Risk Program, call 631-444-KIDS (5437).