PEDS 430C
Healthy Lifestyles Program: A Clinical, Family-Based Approach to Pediatric Obesity
Sarah C. Armstrong
Description from DukeHub
Comprehensive outpatient treatment for childhood obesity. Through observed and direct interactions with families, children and adolescents in an outpatient clinical setting, students will learn the causes and complications of pediatric obesity, and the approach to treatment, including 1) motivational interviewing, 2) intensive health behavior and lifestyle treatment through a community-partnered program, Bull City Fit (bullcityfit.org), 3) obesity medications (such as GLP-1s), and 4) metabolic/bariatric surgery. Healthy Lifestyles is a multidisciplinary clinic which allows students to interact with and observe pediatricians, nutritionists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and mental health providers. Students are expected to attend clinic Monday through Friday, according to a calendar which will be provided by the course director at the start of the rotation. Students will be expected to participate actively in weekly noon team learning seminar (Thursdays) and to present a topic of the student's choice near the end of the rotation. Lastly, the course director will provide students with a reading list on pertinent topics to be completed by the end of the rotation. Report to Duke Children's Primary Care Clinic, 3116 North Duke Street, first level. Students will attend and participate in at least one session of a community fitness program for children, called Bull City Fit. Students will play games, sports, and/or participate in cooking classes with families. From this experience, students will gain an understanding of community engagement, health advocacy and program planning. For questions, email the course director, Dr. Sarah Armstrong. Additional Contact: Katherine Caro. Permission of the instructor is required for enrollment for all terms where the course is offered. To obtain a permission number, contact Keni-tai Davenport. Credit: 4. Enrollment: max. 1. Sarah Armstrong, MD; Martha Nelson, PA-C; Katherine Caro, PA-C; Stephanie Dolan, PNP; Olga Gupta, MD; McAllister Windom, MD; Jenny Favret, MS, RD, LDN; Georgia Vaugn, RD; Heidi Pongracz, MPH, PT; Lisa Honeycutt, LPC; Rachel Carrier, OT.
Skills
- clinicalSchool of Medicine clinical course
- public speakingAI review: "to present a topic of the student's choice"
- fieldworkAI review: "participate in at least one session of a community fitness program"
- negotiationAI review: "motivational interviewing"
AI-resilient: 3 of 5
- Yes: Physical, lab or field work · clinical rotation
- Yes: Live work with people · "clinical"
- No: Judgment someone is accountable for
- Yes: A craft you practice with your hands or body · "surgery"
- No: Small, in-person format
The checks lean on Microsoft Research, Working with AI (2025), which found generative AI applies least to physical work and hands-on work with people. A signal, not a promise. How the score works
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