Children’s Fitness Clinic
Our Program
The University of Virginia Children’s Fitness Clinic (CFC) is a six-month behavior modification program to help you and your overweight child make healthy lifestyle changes in a positive, team-structured environment. The CFC is the first multidisciplinary weight management clinic in Virginia. Our team includes a registered dietitian, an exercise physiologist and a nurse practitioner. We perform an initial evaluation of your child, including a medical exam. Based on your child’s individual needs, the clinic works closely with you and your child to develop a treatment plan with realistic goals for improving your child’s health through dietary and lifestyle changes.
Our Mission is to:
- promote a healthy lifestyle among children
- decrease childhood obesity through nutrition and activity goals
The CFC program is for children who are at or above the 85th percentile in body mass index (BMI). This is a measure of the child’s weight relative to age and height and a common method for assessing a person’s adiposity, or body fat. An elevated BMI increases risk for high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, elevated cholesterol and cardiovascular disease.
Clinic Location & Hours
Location:
Battle Building
1204 W. Main Street
Charlottesville, VA
Phone: 434-982-1607/1-800-251-3627 ext. 2-1607
Fax: 434-244-4411
Email: Susan Cluett, N.P., Program Director
Clinic Hours:
Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Administration
Christine M. Burt Solorzano, MD – Medical Director
Susan Cluett, C.R.N.P. – Program Director
Anna King, CTRS – Outreach Program Coordinator
Elina Bank, RDN – Registered Dietitian
Cory Kohler, MS, RD– Registered Dietitian
BMI is at the 85th percentile or higher
Your family has a history of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, or obesity
Most of our patients are referred by their primary care provider, though a referral is not always necessary. Please call your insurance company and inquire about coverage for our services.
Being overweight or obese as a child can lead to type 2 diabetes, heart disease, depression, and a shorter life span. Making healthy lifestyle changes as soon as possible can help prevent these problems.
Ask your child’s healthcare provider to measure your child’s BMI at each visit. If your child is at or above the 85th percentile, and has not been successful with lifestyle change, speak with your PCP about a referral to our clinic.
Health Tips for Parents!
- Follow MyPlate as your map for healthy eating. Encourage your child to eat a variety of fruits and vegetables at every meal.
- Encourage your child to eat breakfast every day and model this behavior.
- Watch portions of your child’s food.
- Choose healthy options when eating out.
- Drink healthy beverages. Avoid drinks with more than 10 calories/serving.
- For more nutrition tips, go to EatRight.org.
- Your child should participate in at least 1 hour of moderate to vigorous physical activity every day… 2 hours is even better!
- For home fitness ideas, check out SparkPeople.com and local resources like Charlottesville City Parks and Recreationand Albemarle County Parks and Recreation for structured activities.
- Review your child’s height, weight, and BMI and discuss their diet and activity level with your healthcare provider at each visit.
- Reduce your child’s screen time. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no more than 2 hours of screen time per day for children: this includes television, computers, video games and hand-held games.