Healthy Driven Families
At Edward-Elmhurst Health, we take your family’s health as seriously as you do. Through community programs and educational resources, our Healthy Driven Families initiative aims to improve families’ overall health by helping you make intentional choices that lead to a healthier lifestyle. On this page, you will find tools to help you and your family incorporate healthier habits and practices — in the areas of nutrition, exercise, sleep and mental health — into your daily lives to optimize wellness. For help with common pediatric issues, visit our family resources page.
Maintaining a healthy weight
The percentage of children and adolescents affected by obesity in the United States has more than tripled since the 1970s. Childhood obesity can harm a child’s health now and lead to lifelong health problems. Edward-Elmhurst Health offers a variety of services to help combat childhood obesity.
If your child is 15 or younger, Maria Ariza, M.D., a family medicine physician who specializes in childhood obesity medicine, can help your child achieve a healthy weight. Dr. Ariza provides compassionate, personalized care with consideration for your family's lifestyle.
If your child is 16 and older, the medical weight loss specialists at Endeavor Health® Weight Management provide medical management and lifestyle recommendations. The medically-supervised program is tailored to your child’s metabolism and unique weight issues to help him/her eliminate weight-related health problems.
Nutrition consults
Maintaining a healthy, balanced diet is important to control your weight and improve your overall wellness. Do you need help with meal planning and making good choices that fit your family's needs? You can schedule a consult with one of our outpatient dietitians by contacting Central Scheduling at 630-527-3200.
MyPlate provides easy-to-follow nutrition guidelines.
Rethink your Drink offers tips on how to choose healthier drinks.
Exercise
Edward-Elmhurst Health & Fitness offers a variety of fitness classes for kids and teens who want to learn fun ways to stay active and build healthy habits that last a lifetime. From camp during school breaks to special programs during the holidays, our interactive classes will keep your kids moving and help them be the best they can be. We offer everything from parent/tot classes for young children to sports conditioning classes for teens.
Take a Hike! Challenge
is an 8-week hiking challenge for all ages to rediscover the healthy benefits of being active and spending time in nature.
Healthy Kids Running Series
motivates kids to lead a healthy and active lifestyle through a positive introduction to the world of running.
Girls on the Run®
is a nonprofit program for girls with the goal of inspiring girls to reach their limitless potential.
Let Me Run
is a nonprofit program that inspires boys through the power of running.
Mental health
At least one in five children and adolescents suffer from a behavioral health disorder. When left untreated, behavioral health disorders can lead to issues at school, family conflicts, substance abuse and even thoughts of death. Early intervention is important to the recovery process.
At Linden Oaks Behavioral Health, we have experts who specialize in the treatment of adolescents. Our programs address depression, anxiety (including school refusal), anger, anti-social disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorders. We also offer programs specifically for adolescents, including addictions, Asperger's disorder, eating disorders and self-injury.
For additional mental health resources for families, check out NAMI and SAMHSA.
Sleep
Quality sleep is essential to your family's health and well-being. A good night’s sleep can help you concentrate, maintain healthy a mood, build a strong immune system and fight off illness. Untreated sleep disorders put you and your family at risk for a variety of health issues. Learn more about our sleep services for the whole family.
Partnering with your doctor
Your health is the most important thing you’ve got, and your primary care physician (PCP) is you and your family's long-term partner for a healthy life. Not only does a PCP diagnose and treat illness, he or she will counsel and educate you (and each of your family members) about how to maintain your health and prevent disease. Depending on your family's health needs, your PCP may be a family medicine physician, internal medicine physician and/or pediatrician. Find a Healthy Driven doctor today and schedule your appointment online.
Children’s services
Your child’s health is our top priority. We know first-hand the clinical differences and sensitivities involved with caring for children. From preventive care and wellness education to the latest in diagnostics and specialty medicine, we offer expert, comprehensive pediatric care close to home. Our team of pediatric experts, including a pediatric nurse navigator, will partner with you to get your child healthy and build Healthy Driven habits that last a lifetime.
Navigating your child's healthcare can be hard, but it doesn’t have to be. At Edward-Elmhurst Health, we created a family resources page with information about common pediatric issues and how we can help.
Contact us
For more information about our Healthy Driven Families initiative, call 630-527-7767.