The TEENS Program (Teaching, Encouragement, Exercise, Nutrition and Support) is a multidisciplinary weight management research trial, funded by the National Institutes of Health, that is examining two approaches to involve parents in adolescent weight management. This four-month treatment is offered virtually at no cost to families and includes weekly group-based virtual visits for adolescents and parents with overweight or obesity.
Multidisciplinary TEENS Team
The TEENS team is dedicated to helping families develop healthy lifestyles that can last a lifetime.
The team includes:
• Behavior coaches
• Dietitians
• Exercise specialists
• Medical providers
Program Benefits
The 4-month program strives to teach adolescents and families how to develop healthy lifestyles through a protocol-based intervention.
Adolescent participants receive:
• Medical screening to ensure safe participation
• Weekly nutrition education and behavioral coaching
• Exercise program conducted live with an online trainer
• Families also receive payment for completing follow-up study assessments
What Adolescent Participants Receive
• Medical screening to ensure safe participation
• Weekly nutrition education and behavioral coaching
• Exercise program conducted live with an online trainer
• Families also receive payment for completing follow-up study assessments
Does Your Adolescent Qualify?
Adolescents must meet the following criteria to qualify:
• Age 12–16
• Body mass index (BMI) above the 85th percentile
• Weigh less than 400 pounds
• Live within a 60-mile radius of TEENS
• Have regular access to a device with camera (smartphone, tablet or computer) and stable internet access
• Have no medical conditions that directly lead to weight gain or loss
• Be able to perform standard exercise movements and understand basic instructions
• Have a primary care physician
• Have a motivated parent/guardian (with a BMI 25kg/m2) that will accompany the teen and participate in the program (parents must have medical clearance from a physician to participate in TEENS)
• Female teens and parents must not be pregnant
Ready to Sign Up? Visit chrichmond.org/TEENS or scan the QR code below to complete a brief eligibility screener or contact Sarah Farthing, TEENS program coordinator at 804-827-TEEN or teens@vcuhealth.org.
TEENS is offered through our Healthy Lifestyles Center.
Healthy Lifestyles Center
Pembrooke Offi ce Park
2303 North Parham Road, Suite 1
Henrico, Virginia 23229
