Pediatric Weight Management

Supporting Your Child’s Health Journey with Personalized Care in New Jersey

In today’s world, children and adolescents face many challenges, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle is one of them. Currently, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that 1 in 5 children and adolescents are obese. Hackensack Meridian Children's Health offers a compassionate and comprehensive pediatric weight management program designed to support children and their families.

Our team works closely with each child and their family to develop a plan that supports their whole health, not just a number on the scale. Whether your child is gaining weight quickly or living with obesity, we’re here with guidance, compassion, and expertise every step of the way.

What We Offer: A Personalized, Multidisciplinary Approach

Every child is different, and so is every care plan. Our program is built around the idea that effective support must be tailored to the unique needs of your child and your family.

Whole-Child Evaluations

During the first visit, we assess for any underlying medical issues that may be contributing to weight gain. We also take a close look at how your child’s weight may be affecting their health, growth, and emotional well-being. If needed, we coordinate care with pediatric specialists to ensure nothing is overlooked.

Lifestyle Counseling

We help children and families build sustainable habits from understanding nutrition and meal planning to navigating emotional triggers around food. Our sessions focus on portion sizes, balanced meals, and the social factors that often affect how children eat.

Medical Weight Management

In some cases, lifestyle changes alone may not be enough. When appropriate, we offer FDA-approved medications for adolescent weight loss as part of a comprehensive plan to support healthier outcomes.

Adolescent Bariatric Surgery

At K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital and Joseph M. Sanzari Children's Hospital, we offer adolescent bariatric surgery through an accredited program in New Jersey. This option is considered for eligible patients after careful evaluation, and it always includes emotional support and continued lifestyle guidance before and after surgery.

Throughout the process, families are met with understanding, not judgment. Our care team, including pediatricians, nutritionists, behavioral health specialists, social workers, and bariatric surgeons, works together to support your child’s physical and emotional health.