Children's Exercise and Nutrition Centre

Contact Information

Phone: (905) 521-2100, ext. 77967

What Is The Children's Exercise and Nutrition Centre

The Children's Exercise and Nutrition Centre (CENC) is home to multidisciplinary clinical, research, and educational services. Our clinical programs involve consultation, education, medical care, and prescription of physical activity, nutrition, and lifestyle alterations to modify health-related behaviours of our patients, their families, and caregivers.

The Metabolism, Obesity & Health in Youth program includes 2 clinical services: 1) the assessment and care of children and adolescents with genetic disorders of cholesterol and lipid metabolism and 2) assessment and care of children and adolescents with overweight or obesity. The Pediatric Lipid Clinic sees clients with disorders in lipid metabolism (abnormal cholesterol levels), many of whom have family histories of cholesterol disorders and premature coronary artery disease. The primary mode of treatment for children with lipid disorders includes diet and exercise and may include lipid-lowering medications in some children. Importantly, the Lipid Clinic includes a transition clinic to help position adolescents and families for successful ongoing care in the adult setting. Clinical services for children, youth, and families with overweight or obesity include multidisciplinary care to assist in the development of healthy lifestyles and the evaluation and management of insulin resistance, impaired glucose tolerance, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, polycystic ovarian disease, dyslipidemias, etc.). The Metabolism, Obesity & Health in Youth program also has an active research program led by Dr. Katherine Morrison.

The Child Health & Exercise Medicine program offers clinical exercise assessment and physical activity counselling for children and adolescents with a variety of conditions. The exercise medicine clinic uses exercise testing and physical activity counselling to enhance the care of children with juvenile arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, cancer, Type 1 diabetes, cystic fibrosis, cerebral palsy and other chronic medical conditions, by contributing exercise- and diet-related assessments, interventions, and follow-up. A comprehensive medical program is offered to assist these youth and their families. The Child Health & Exercise Medicine program also has an active research program led by Dr. Brian Timmons.

Our clinical staff includes Physicians, a Program Manager, Exercise Physiologist, Registered Dietitians, Child & Family Therapist, Kinesiologists (ActivityTherapists), Registered Nurse, Clinic Intake and Scheduling Coordinator. In general, children with any exercise and nutrition-related disorder, disease or complaint may be referred to us. Referrals are accepted from family physicians, pediatricians and other health-care professionals 

We also provide education to a variety of learners on the relevance of physical activity, nutrition, and lifestyle to the current and future health, well-being and function of children and adolescents. The medical assessment and management of lipid disorders and metabolic disorders including obesity is highlighted. This is accomplished through both core and elective clinical rotations (medical students and residents), research trainees (undergraduate, graduate, and post-doctoral fellowships), visiting professorships, lectures, seminars and publications.

Our clinics operate daily, Monday to Friday. To make a referral please contact Janice Chatland, Clinic Scheduling Coordinator at (905) 521-7967 or fax the pertinent information to (905) 385-5033. Program inquiries may be directed to Janice Chatland, Clinic Scheduling Coordinator at (905) 521-7967 or Randy Calvert, Program Manager at (905) 521-2100, ext. 74183.

Research at CENC