Fall 2008 In this issue Children’s National’s IDEAL Clinic Children’s National Launches Obesity Institute Meet Dr. Anjali Jain! Other Programs Offered by Children’s National More about Childhood Obesity Edwin K. Zechman, Jr. President and Chief Executive Officer Jacqueline D. Bowens Vice President and Chief Government and External Affairs Officer Clare Kelly Director, Government and External Affairs Timothy Jones, Editor Manager, State Government Affairs Children’s National’s IDEAL Clinic Children’s National’s IDEAL Clinic (Improved Diet, Exercise & Activity for Life) treats children and teens ages 2 to 18 who are at risk of obesity or who have been classified as obese and develops multidisciplinary management plans for those patients and their families. Patients have access to psychologists, dieticians, and exercise therapists as well as nurses, physicians, and specialists in gastroenterology, endocrinology, cardiology, sleep medicine, psychology, and exercise therapy. The IDEAL Clinic is the only comprehensive multidisciplinary treatment program for children with obesity in the metropolitan region. After a child is admitted into the IDEAL Clinic, they are followed by specialists intensively for 6 months, followed by monthly visits for approximately 12-18 months. During treatment, the child may receive dietary, nutritional, and weight management counseling, as well as group health education and physical activity classes. Parents receive individual education to create an environment conducive for the child to manage their weight.  [Continue reading about the IDEAL Clinic] Children’s National Launches Obesity Institute Children’s National founded a world-class Obesity Institute to address every arena of obesity in the community. The Obesity Institute’s vision is to be recognized regionally, nationally and internationally as a leader in developing and disseminating best practices for the prevention and treatment of obesity. The Obesity Institute’s aggressive goal is to initially slow, and eventually stop the incidence of childhood obesity within five years in children up to 18 years of age. The Obesity Institute will execute the strategies and initiatives to reduce childhood obesity through clinical treatment, advocacy, research of best-practice treatments and genetic composition that leads to greater incidences of obesity and education for medical staff, families, and communities.  [Continue reading about the Obesity Institute] Meet Dr. Anjali Jain! Anjali Jain, MD, a resident of Montgomery County and Children’s National’s representative on Maryland’s Committee on Childhood Obesity (HB 1176), works in Children's Center for Clinical and Community Research. The Center for Clinical and Community Research conducts research that leads to advancements in healthcare promotion and improves the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of childhood diseases in hospitals, outpatient settings, and communities. The center identifies the optimal methods for delivering preventive services and other health care to children and their families, paying special attention to disadvantaged and minority populations.  [Continue reading about Dr. Jain] Copyright 2008 by Children’s National Medical Center. All rights reserved. The bear logo and Children’s National Medical Center are registered trademarks. The names of the other organizations within the Children’s National Medical Center system are service marks of Children’s National Medical Center and/or its affiliates. A member of the Children’s Miracle Network Children’s does not discriminate on any grounds prohibited by applicable law,including race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin or ancestry, sexual orientation, marital status, status as a disabled or Vietnam veteran or as a qualified disabled individual.