The C.H.A.N.G.E.™ Program

Children with Health Activity Nutrition & Good Emotions

Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I be concerned if my child has a high body mass index (BMI>85%ile)?

Children who are overweight are much more likely to become adults who are overweight. We have seen a national increase in children who suffer from diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and liver disease due to being overweight. These are a preventable problems and by helping your child reduce his/her BMI to a healthy one , you can greatly reduce your child's future risk for these diseases.

Does it work?

We have seen great success in increasing exercise tolerance, reducing body fat, and eventually reducing BMI (body mass index) in our participants. This is only an 8-week program and is meant to be a "jump start" towards achieving a healthy weight for your child's age. It is important that your family and your child be interested in learning how to make changes for this program to be successful. It is a life-style change that will give your child a healthier future.

My daughter already feels self-conscious about her weight. How do I bring her without making her feel bad?

We absolutely understand that significant issues for the children (especially older ones) are the social and psychological impacts of being overweight or obese. To help your child, you as the parent can provide the resources your child needs to fight this disease. Learning about how to eat healthy and what kind of exercise is needed will help your child figure out how be healthier. When talking to your child about the program, focus on the fact that you and your child are learning how to be healthy - not on the weight issue. Many parents find relief in having someone else be the "bad guy" and talk to their child about weight, health, diet and exercise in a caring, meaningful way. Very often, children grow tired of hearing the same message over and over from their parents, or they appear to just tune out the message entirely. Some children get depressed, sad, or angry over the issue. Children and families who have enrolled in the program have enjoyed it and have given very positive feedback at the end of the program. We encourage you and your child to try this program as a new way to learn about how to be healthy.

My child is 6 years old. Can she enroll?

Yes. We enroll children ages 6 - 18 years of age.

When are the sessions?

We hold one session in the fall and one in the spring. Dates are typically announced 2-3 months ahead of time. Please check our website or call our practice at (703) 391-0900 for upcoming sessions. If the dates have not been established, we can take your name and number and call you when the dates are announced. In general, the sessions have been Tuesday evenings from either 6-7 pm, or 7-8 pm, depending on the age of your child.

Where is the program held?

The program is held at our main office location near Fair Oaks Hospital - 3650 Joseph Siewick Dr, Suite 101, Fairfax, VA 22033.

How do I register my child?

Please call our office at (703) 391-0900, and tell the receptionist that you would like to enroll your child in the C.H.A.N.G.E. Program. You will be sent a packet of intake materials that will need to be completed prior to the first session. In addition, you will receive a lab order for screening lab bloodwork which will need to done prior to the first session.

My child just had blood work done. Do we need to do it again?

We check specific lab tests to assess your child's current state of health. If your child has had the needed lab work drawn in the last 3 months, we may not need to repeat the tests. However, we will need to determine if all required screening tests were completed. If not, your child will need to get those remaining tests drawn. These tests are not done at our practice, but we can give you a lab order to have the blood drawn at a lab facility, such as Labcorp or Quest. Please call if you have questions about this.

Do I have to be a current patient of Fairfax Pediatric Associates?

No. You are welcome to come to our practice just for this program and then continue to see your own pediatrician for care. We request that you obtain a copy of your child's growth charts so that we can see your child's weight and height (and BMI if available) over the years.

Is it paid for by insurance?

Insurance will generally pay for portions of the program. Certain sessions of the program are billed to your insurance. Co-pays are collected at the first and last sessions. If you have deductibles or coinsurance, they may apply to the first and last sessions. We charge a nonrefundable program fee to cover material and supplies.

Do you accept all insurances?

We accept most major insurances. However, please call to verify if your insurance is accepted. We do not accept Medicaid.

Your session has already started, can I join in mid-session?

Unfortunately, attendance at the first session is required, so if you miss the first session, we cannot enroll your child in the session. This is our intake session and the child has several exams and exercise baseline tests that are done at the session so that we can tailor the program to each child. We would be happy to have you enroll in our next available session.

What can I do while we are waiting for the next session to start?

Dr. Sandy Chung, our program Medical Director, and Sharon Boyle, pediatric nurse practitioner, have special interest and expertise in dealing with weight management in children. If it will be some time before you are able to participate in a program, or if you would like to try working on this issue on your own first, you may want to consider making an appointment to see either one of them for an evaluation and plan.

Do you offer makeup classes or refund if money if I miss a class?

At this time, we do not offer makeup sessions or refund for missed classes. However, if you miss a class, there may be an opportunity to come for that class during the next session. Please contact Dr. Chung, Medical Director, if this applies to you.

What awards has the program won?

In 2010, the C.H.A.N.G.E. program was given the Medical Home Innovation Award by Children's National Health Center in Washington, DC. The program was awarded the statewide Virginia Healthcare Innovator's Award in 2011. Additionally, the program was presented at the 2011 Virginia Weight of the State Conference, chaired by Virginia First Lady Maureen McDonnell, as a program model for pediatricians and other physicians.