Your Child's First Visits to the Pediatric Fitness Clinic
- Physicians
- Exercise physiologists
- Registered dietitians
To get started developing an individualized action plan, children will have two initial visits to UW Health's Pediatric Fitness Clinic in Madison, Wisconsin.
The first visit will include:
- Medical evaluation and physical exam by a physician. Simple blood tests may be done to check cholesterol, blood sugar, insulin levels or thyroid function.
- A DXA body scan by an exercise physiologist to measure the weight of the child's muscle, bone and fat.
The second visit will include:
- A review of eating patterns and food habits with a registered dietitian.
- A treadmill test with an exercise physiologist to evaluate the child's cardiovascular fitness. The test will be conducted in the same lab where UW Badgers and elite atheletes are tested.
Health and Fitness Action Plan
Through these evaluations, an individualized Health and Fitness Action Plan will be developed for the child. Through this plan, the health and fitness experts will help:
- Develop realistic goals for a balanced and nourishing diet that promotes life long changes
- Create a fitness regimen filled with activities the child likes based on readily available resources for the family
Working Together
To promote progress and encourage positive lifestyle changes, it is recommended that the child return for follow-up visits with the physicians, registered dietitians and excerice physiolgists.
These regular visits will provide support and guidance with new issues as the child grows and changes.
Activities
Monitored exercise sessions are offered in our Sport Medicine Exercise Science Lab. The ulimate goal is to make exercise fun and teach safe and appropriate use of equipment.
If deemed appropriate by our exercise physiologists, the child can join a group of peers and enjoy the clinic's interactive exercise options which include Dance Dance Revolution and video GameBikes.