Summer's Story

Summer Heasley is a healthy, active third-grader who loves to play at the park, walk with her mother, Susan Heasley, and dance around her house in Leechburg.

However, Summer wasn’t always a bundle of energy. Less than a year ago, she lived the life of a sedentary pre-teen who, like many school-aged children, was overweight. At eight years old, Summer weighed 105 lbs. and had a body fat content of 40.6 percent when she was referred to Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC’s Weight Management and Wellness Center by her pediatrician. Ten months later, Summer is proud to say that her fat content has dropped to 19.9 percent, and she has lost 16.3 cm in her waist.

“It was the best thing her pediatrician could have done,” explains Susan Heasley. “Referring Summer to Children’s Weight Management and Wellness Center was the first step in getting her to where she is today.”

Summer and her mother traveled to Oakland for her first consultation in early December 2007. The pair met with Lindsey Detwiler, RD, LDN, clinical dietitian and wellness advisor, and John Weidinger, PA-C, physician assistant. She underwent a medical exam, nutrition and physical activity assessment, and a behavioral assessment. Ms. Detwiler thinks this multidisciplinary approach is what makes the program so successful.

Summer’s first task was to change her eating habits, which meant five fruits and vegetables a day and cut out the fats and sweets. She also was to begin exercising three times a week. These were two of the Healthy Lifestyle Goals she had set for herself at the beginning of the program.

“John and I both agree that much of Summer’s success is attributed to the entire family’s commitment to adopt a healthier lifestyle,” says Ms. Detwiler. “When she came back for her follow-up in January, she and her family already were successful in having more family meals seated at the table, choosing healthier foods, decreasing portion sizes and increasing physical activity.”

Summer returns every two months to the Weight Management and Wellness Center for an appointment to monitor her progress. Detwiler and Weidinger measure her height and weight, check up on her physical activity and evaluate her overall health. They also measure her body fat with an egg-shaped machine Summer refers to as a “bod pod.”

“I love to run and swim now, and I exercise five times a week,” Summer says. “And we make this great low-fat pizza at home, so I still get to eat things I like. I feel good about myself and I’m happier.”

Although many would probably consider Summer’s statistics remarkable given her ten-month involvement in the program, Ms. Heasley continues to be thankful for all of the positive changes she’s seen in her daughter.

“The changes I see in Summer are remarkable,” expresses Ms. Heasley. “She has so much more self-confidence — she lets her sense of humor shine now. Summer has gotten sick fewer times, and she can’t read a book without tapping her foot from excess energy. It’s a mother’s dream, and I thank Children’s Weight Management and Wellness Center for helping Summer to become happier and healthier for life. ”