You are viewing this article in the AnnArbor.com archives. For the latest breaking news and updates in Ann Arbor and the surrounding area, see MLive.com/ann-arbor
Posted on Sun, Sep 19, 2010 : 8:32 p.m.

Medical Weight Loss Clinic in Ann Arbor to offer free Pro-Teen Plan for tweens and teens

By Heather Lockwood

Medical Weight Loss Clinic, including the Ann Arbor location, will offer its Pro-Teen Plan free to qualifying children ages 10 to 17 beginning Monday.

The start of the promotion coincides with the start of Childhood Obesity Awareness Week.

The free, medically supervised program will be made available for eight weeks to the first 25 children who qualify at each of the 34 locations throughout the state and across northern Ohio. The offer will be made available to as many as 850 children, and qualifications will be based on "age-appropriate minimum body mass index as determined by Medical Weight Loss Clinic guidelines," according to a news release.

“We all know the dangers of childhood obesity,” Alberta Lipiniski, nursing supervisor of Medical Weight Loss Clinic, said in a news release. “Nearly every day the media is reporting on the dangers of this condition and how it has become an official ‘epidemic.’ We want to help provide the tools and support that these young people need to learn how to lead a healthier lifestyle.”

Participants who successfully complete the eight-week program will receive two tickets to a Detroit Pistons game and be entered for the chance to win a free hair and clothing makeover valued at $500.

For more information or to schedule an appointment at an area clinic, call 1-800-GET-SLIM.

Heather Lockwood is a reporter for AnnArbor.com, reach her at heatherlockwood@annarbor.com or follow her on Twitter.

Comments

Rob T

Sat, Sep 25, 2010 : 12:05 p.m.

I harbor a (perhaps unfounded) skepticism of storefront diet centers, but free 'tween' diet plans seems like an invitation to lifelong body issues. Also, shouldn't dieters be qualified based on 'age-appropriate *maximum* body mass index' rather than the minimum? It seems to me that if you're below the appropriate maximum you are healthy and beautiful.