About Us

Background

In 2003, the East Carolina University Brody School of Medicine's Department of Pediatrics formed the Pediatric Healthy Weight Research and Treatment Center in response to the national and regional epidemic of childhood obesity that is threatening the health of our children. Regional studies in eastern North Carolina show about half of all children are at risk for overweight or are overweight in the region. Several studies have found almost twice as many children in eastern North Carolina are considered overweight (about 30%) compared to children nationally (17%).

Mission Statement

The mission of the Pediatric Healthy Weight Research and Treatment Center charges the organization to be involved in three main activities:

1) Collaborate with local health care providers and community agencies to combat childhood obesity

2) Provide clinical care for at risk and overweight children and youth in eastern North Carolina

3) Conduct research related to childhood obesity prevention and treatment

Download a copy of the new Pediatric Healthy Weight Research and Treatment Center brochure here (3.5 MB pdf). It describes the programs, activities, research and funding needs of the center.