Medical Expert - Joseph A. Skelton, MD

Skelton, a pediatric gastroenterologist and national obesity expert, heads the region's first and most comprehensive pediatric obesity program. Called Brenner FIT (Families in Training); the program has several components, including a year-long intensive treatment program for overweight children with an underlying medical problem. Brenner FIT works with families to identify habits to change and then help them restructure their lives in a way that promotes physical fitness, healthy eating habits and overall wellness. Skelton consults with other pediatric specialists at Brenner Children's Hospital to treat children with high cholesterol, diabetes, sleep apnea and other obesity-related diseases. His team includes a behavior specialist, a physical therapist, a dietitian, and a nurse case manager.In addition to the Brenner FIT program, Skelton is working with pediatric surgeons at the children's hospital to offer the state's only adolescent bariatric surgery program for children.