Healthy active living for kids
Join our wellness movement
Every child can benefit from the Healthy Active Living resources at Advocate Children’s Medical Group. Our events and online education can help inspire your child to eat better and spend less time in front of the TV. We also offer our Healthy Active Living Program, where children battling excess weight get the personalized attention they need to achieve a healthier and happier lifestyle.
Reversing the obesity epidemic in Illinois
One in three children in Illinois are obese, and their health conditions are paving the way for adult lives plagued with related health problems such as diabetes, heart disease or sleep apnea. Overall, overweight and obesity rates among suburban Cook County students are higher than national averages for children in similar age groups. Without significant change, our state’s obesity rate will continue to rise.
Our mission: Our Healthy Active Living Program aims, in part, to fight the childhood obesity epidemic in Illinois by working with families and kids and increasing public awareness through community- and school-based programs, community partnerships, policy change efforts and health care provider programs.
Start now: easy as 5-2-1-0
Starting these four healthy habits early in life can help your child live a lifetime of wellness:
5: Eating five servings of fruits and five servings of vegetables every day
2: Limiting screen time (TVs, computers, video games, mobile devices) to less than two hours per day
1: Getting one hour of physical activity every day
0: Drinking zero sugar-sweetened drinks, opting for water instead of juices, sodas or sport drinks.
Visit our specialized clinic
The Healthy Active Living program is a multidisciplinary program for kids ages 2-18 who struggle with excess weight gain.
With a personalized focus on your family’s needs, we help you establish and achieve your specific goals for creating healthy habits that will last a lifetime.
What to expect:
- Personalized visits with a doctor, dietitian and behavior counselor for nutrition, physical activity and behavior-modification counseling
- Visits are 45-90 minutes depending on how many providers you see that day, so please plan accordingly.
- In-person and virtual visits are every four weeks for six months. The frequency and duration of visits are based on your family’s needs.
- An assessment of your child’s risk for medical conditions associated with excess weight
- Cooking classes and physical activity opportunities
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Find out how the Healthy Active Living Program changed Makai - and his family's - life.
How to enroll:
Check with your child's doctor to see if your child is eligible. HAL clinic visits are billed to your insurance. More information is available when you call to make your appointment, contact information can be found below.
Wilmette
Chicagoland Children's Health Alliance Pediatric Outpatient Center
3232 Lake Ave., Suite 300
Wilmette, Illinois 60091
Provider: Dr. Lori Walsh
847-318-9330
Oak Lawn
Advocate Children's Hospital
4440 W. 95th St., Ste. 1200H
Oak Lawn, Illinois 60453
Provider: Dr. Jeremy Daigle
708-684-KIDS (option 1)
When we're available:
- Thursdays – Wilmette location
- Wednesday afternoons and full day last Wednesday of the month – Oak Lawn location
Get care
Kid-focused. Close to home. We’re here for your child in person and online.
