Adiposity with pathological significance
1. General remarks
in our clinic overweight children and adolescents have been treated for decades with sustained success. In this way our physicians and the entire therapeutical team have acquired a large body of experience in the treatment of adipose children and adolescents. In our clinic, adipose children and adolescents ranging from 3 to 18 years of age are treated.2. Grounds for in-patient treatment
In many cases, in-patient treatment has been preceded by a number of futile attempts to reduce weight. Frequently, adipose children and adolescents end up in a vicious circle of obesity and rejection by playmates and classmates. They are also unable to keep up with the others in games and sports. Isolation and lack of movement, often combined with further gain in weight, are the consequences. Behavior-oriented treatment in a special clinic can be used to break this vicious circle.
3. Symptoms for in-patient treatment
- overweight of more than 20% - attested by the family doctor
- additional medical complications, such as raised blood pressure, elevated blood lipids and blood sugar values (type 2 diabetes), overstressing of knee and ankle joints, damaged vertebral column
- repeated unsuccessful dietary attempts at home
- mental stress and/or character change, caused by overweight (depressive reaction)
- signs of isolation in school and in circle of friends
- marginalization at games and sports, problems with school sport
- clearly restricted performance, for instance shortage of breath during sports activities and in everyday life
- decline of performance in school
- disturbed eating behavior, for instance sweets
- circle of friends in which leisure time activities favor obesity
- problems in the family which make weight reduction difficult
4. Concept of treatment of the Klinik Schönsicht
Basically the therapy focusses on a sustained weight reduction and on improving the general state of health at the time of admission. Changing location, experiencing life in a group and building up motivation are important factors for a successful treatment. Success of the treatment is documented through intensive medical examinations, laboratory and function diagnosis, regular weight controls, and through measuring physical performance during the entire course of the in-patient therapy.
The therapy of adiposity rests upon the following four fundamental principles:
Optimized mix of nutrition
The food dispensed at the clinic is a mix; it is low in calories, and high in vitamins and dietary fiber (1200-1500 kcal). Food items and calorie content are varied according to the desired level of physical performance.
Sport therapy
The sports program is comprehensive and includes hiking, Nordic walking, jogging, swimming (in the clinic’s indoor swimming pool), gymnastics, ball and team sports, as well as cross-country skiing in winter. The program aims at an overall measurable improvement in physical condition, that includes factors relevant to sport such as coordination, power, endurance and speed.
Psychological care
Age-based psychological care takes place in groups and aims at building up an optimal motivation for weight reduction, at changing eating behavior, at raising self-esteem, and at furthering self-confidence as well as self-discipline. Children and adolescents with mental problems or psychosomatic disorders receive a corresponding individual therapy.
Training of patients
In order to change the patients’ eating habits beyond the period of in-patient treatment, our dietary instructor offers weekly dietary training sessions and dietary cookery courses.
5. Successful treatment – a good start for life at home
Within the scope of the usual in-patient treatment of 6 weeks, children of up to 10 years of age can reach a weight loss of 0.5 –1.0 kg per week, while children and adolescents from 10 years upwards can reach 1.0-2.0 kg per week. Children and adolescents who have been prepared for the treatment by their parents before coming to the clinic, have been found to co-operate during their stay with particularly successful results. An in-patient treatment of 6 weeks ensures not only the desired weight loss but also success in the learning and training program and the necessary change of lifestyle.
6. Long-term therapy of extremely adipose children and adolescents
For children and adolescents who have been declared by the family doctor to be 60% or more overweight, a long-term therapy of several months is recommended. This long-term therapy must be applied for separately at the competent funding agency.
