The Children's and Adolescent Hospital at Hospital da Luz Lisboa now offers a health intervention program for obese adolescents aged 10 to 13, with a BMI above the 95th percentile: the Teen Fit Club. With the main goal of contributing to improving the health and quality of life of young people who need and want to lose weight through positive lifestyle changes, the Teen Fit Club promotes participation in activities developed by a multidisciplinary team from Hospital da Luz Lisboa (pediatrician, pediatric endocrinologist, nutritionist, exercise physiologist, and sports and motivational coaches), helping children learn to develop healthier habits. The program is developed on several levels: Nutritional education; Emotional health and physical fitness; Safe prevention and treatment of excess weight. Teen Fit Club sessions are held in groups of up to 8 participants, with sessions held twice a week over a period of 6 months. Teamwork and the sense of shared challenge promote interaction and the sense of positive social experience, so important for this age group. Because family and caregiver involvement is critical to the program's success, it includes counseling sessions and workshops for parents/caregivers on various topics (e.g., roles and responsibilities, communication and motivation, nutrition, and physical activity). Activities, Location, and Schedule Teen Fit Club activities take place weekly for six months: Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM, at the Sports Medicine Center of Hospital da Luz in Lisbon. The program is interrupted during school holidays, so its duration will be extended to compensate. The program includes: Classroom sessions: 30 minutes, on nutrition, physical activity, healthy lifestyles, and motivational coaching, among other topics (6:00 PM to 6:30 PM); Supervised fitness training at a gym: 60 minutes (6:30 PM to 7:30 PM); Monthly counseling sessions and workshops for parents/caregivers: 60 minutes (6:30-7:30 p.m.); One pediatric consultation; One nutrition consultation. Each session is led, in turn, by the team of healthcare professionals at Hospital da Luz da Lisboa (pediatrician, pediatric endocrinologist, nutritionist, exercise physiologist, and sports coaching professionals). Hospital da Luz da Lisboa pediatricians are available to answer questions about this program. Registration, Fees, and Payment Pre-registration for the program can be completed: At the reception desks of the Children's and Adolescents' Hospital (building A, ground floor, Consultations and Exams 2) and the Sports Medicine Center (building C, floor 2, Consultations and Exams 14); By email at medicina.desportiva@hospitaldaluz.pt After this time, a pediatric consultation will be scheduled prior to registration. This consultation assesses compliance with the following inclusion criteria: Age between 10 and 13 years; Body mass index (BMI) greater than the 95th percentile; Absence of serious illness or limitation that prevents physical exercise. This program requires a minimum of 6 participants; without this number, Hospital da Luz Lisboa reserves the right to refuse the program, informing parents as far in advance as possible. Total program cost: 720 euros. Monthly payment of R$120 is due by the 8th business day of the month. The program fee does not include the pediatric consultation prior to enrollment, nor the additional diagnostic tests prescribed during this consultation (clinical tests, abdominal ultrasound, and electrocardiogram). After the program begins, the session fee is non-refundable in case of cancellation or absence for any reason.
