About the program
The Optimal Wellness for Life (OWL) program at Boston Children's Hospital is a multidisciplinary clinic dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of children with insulin resistance,type 2 diabetes, and other weight-related health complications.
我们认为，没有一种适合的方法，可以与每个家庭一起工作，以解决影响孩子健康和生活质量的医学，营养，社会，身体和情感因素。作为一个多学科团队，我们通过结合一系列专家的专业知识来制定每个孩子的个性化护理计划，包括：
- 小儿内分泌学家
- registered dietitians
- behavioral medicine psychologists
- resource specialist
- exercise program coordinator
What to expect in the Optimal Wellness for Life (OWL) program
Children and their families first complete a comprehensive evaluation in clinic by meeting individually with a medical provider (physician or nurse practitioner). After these initial visits, introductions to the nutrition and behavioral medicine components will be offered. If a family chooses to enroll in the OWL program, they will then meet individually with their nutritionist and psychologist monthly for six months. They will be seen by their medical provider every three months for six months. After the six-month period, ongoing care will be individualized for the patient and family. Below is an overview of the type of information discussed during your child’s visits with each OWL specialist:
Medical evaluation and monitoring
Medical evaluation and monitoring include a comprehensive personal and family history, physical exam, and laboratory tests to identify any underlying medical conditions (such as hormone problems) and potential weight-related medical complications (such as high cholesterol, insulin resistance,fatty liver, orpolycystic ovary syndrome).
Nutritional education and counseling
Dietary modification is a primary treatment used in the OWL program. We frequently recommend a "low glycemic index" eating plan to help improve blood glucose levels, appetite, energy level, and overall health. Depending on your child’s needs, other dietary approaches are also available. During the initial evaluation, a dietitian will discuss how to ease the transition to a more healthful way of eating for your child and your family.
Health and behavior education and counseling
行为医学咨询有助于最大程度地提高OWL计划中提供的医疗和营养指南的有效性。具有心理学家的个人和家庭会议专注于在家中为每个人养成更健康的习惯。建立了小目标，取得了进步，并制定了解决挑战的策略。心理学家还讨论情绪与孩子的健康有何关系。如果需要更大的情感支持，我们可以协助推荐给适当的提供者。
Connecting families to community resources
Here at the OWL program, we believe in the value of a strong support structure. OWL’s resource specialist can help children and their families connect to local resources such as fitness centers or food pantries to support a healthy lifestyle.
OWL program update: OptimalWellnessfor Life
如果您过去曾是OWL计划的一部分，则可能已经注意到我们程序的名称已更改。OWL现在代表着最佳的生活，而不是最佳的生活体重，可以更好地代表OWL计划的使命：改善儿童的长期健康和生活质量，同时减轻体重的污名。
Schedule an OWL appointment
The Division of Endocrinology is pleased to announce that our call center for scheduling appointments is now open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. OWL medical, nutrition, and behavioral medicine appointments can be scheduled at our clinics in Boston, Peabody, and Waltham. Please call today to make an appointment with our specialists at617-355-5159.