Lonna Gordon, MD, PharmD
For teenagers, obesity is about more than just medical health: obesity can impact teen’s body image and self-esteem, putting them at risk for unhealthy behaviors and toxic relationships that can easily follow them into adulthood.
That’s why it’s important to teach teens resilience, healthy habits, and positive self-esteem at any size. This summer, my colleagues at the Mount Sinai Adolescent Health Center started a new Teen Fit Program. Three times a week, teens in our program can attend free Zumba, kickboxing, or spin classes. These fitness classes help teens increase their strength and self-confidence, and reap the mood- and energy-boosting benefits of exercise.
But the Teen Fit Program does more than increase heart rates. After their classes, teens meet with our nutritionist, who counsels them on healthy food choices, and attend a support group to build up their self-esteem and feel confident in their bodies.
Many of the kids we work with face extraordinary health challenges. They might live in food deserts, lack safe outdoor exercise spaces, or struggle with access to fresh, healthy meals. More than two-thirds of our patients lack health insurance, and 98% come from low-income families.
No matter their background, young people need to be healthy to make it in this world. We are not deterred by the challenges our patients face. Instead, this provides further motivation to give our patients the comprehensive, holistic care they need?—?so they can grow into healthy adults, no matter their size.
****
The Mount Sinai Adolescent Health Center is located in New York City. It provides comprehensive, confidential, judgment free health care at no charge to over 10,000 young people every year. Dr. Lonna Gordon is a pediatrician at the MSAHC who is fellowship trained in adolescent medicine. In addition to general adolescent care, Dr. Gordon specifically sees obese adolescents who are interested in comprehensive medical and reproductive health care through a structured multidisciplinary approach to weight loss through healthy lifestyle approaches.