The Pediatric Healthy Lifestyle Center’s (PHLC) mission is “To provide high-quality, evidence based, family-centered, community-linked preventive care, lifestyle management and medical interventions for children and youth at risk for Type 2 diabetes and other lifestyle-related conditions.”
We provide Stage 1 (Prevention) and Stage 2 (Prevention Plus) care as described in The Expert Committee Recommendations Regarding the Prevention, Assessment and Treatment of Child and Adolescent Overweight and Obesity: Summary Report.*
Therefore, our intervention focuses on lifestyle modification and not weight loss per se.
Who are we
The PHLC core team consists of pediatricians and registered dieticians who specialize in supporting families with behavior change of lifestyle habits. In addition, we work closely with licensed clinical social workers who provide mental health counseling services.
We have been recognized in 2008 by the National Public Health and Hospital institute’s Obesity Treatment Programs in Public Health and Hospital Systems, and the California Association of Public Hospitals.
Who do we treat / care for
The PHLC sees patients 12 months to 18 years old at risk of diabetes and those with lifestyle-related health conditions. All referred patients should be cleared by their physician to participate in physical activity. We do see children with disabilities (e.g. physical, neuro-cognitive).
Primary care providers may refer patients with any of the following lifestyle-associated conditions:
- Overweight (BMI > 85%) or obesity
(BMI > 95%) or elevated weight for
height in children under 2 years old
- Rapid weight gain
- Family history of Type II diabetes
- Insulin resistance or pre-diabetes
- Abnormal cholesterol or lipid values
- Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
- Hypertension
- Family that needs help in adopting healthier lifestyle habits
What do we offer
As part of our program, families are asked to participate in an orientation class focusing on our philosophy and introduction of our 10 Healthy Steps. They then have individual appointments with our physicians or registered dieticians. As part of these visits, patients receive an obesity-focused physical exam, screening for obesity-related diseases, individual counseling on making lifestyle changes, nutrition counseling and referral to sub-specialist care for certain obesity-related conditions. The PHLC has partnerships with community resources to facilitate and support lifestyle change.
Most families can complete our core program in 5-8 visits over approximately 9-12 months. At that time, we assess the need for further care within the PHLC and/or Stage 4 referral (e.g. bariatric surgery), and/or transfer back to their medical home for follow-up/continued care.
Where do we offer our services
We offer services throughout Santa Clara County at all the Valley Health Center (VHC) Clinics:
VHC Tully
500 Tully Rd, San Jose, CA 95111
VHC East Valley
1993 McKee Rd, San Jose, CA 95116
VHC Downtown
777 E. Santa Clara St, San Jose, CA 95112
VHC Bascom
750 S. Bascom Ave, San Jose, CA 95128
VHC Milpitas
143 N. Main Street, Milpitas, CA 95035
VHC Sunnyvale
660 S. Fair Oaks Ave, Sunnyvale, CA 94086
VHC Gilroy
7475 Camino Arroyo, Gilroy, CA 95020
What is the referral process
Santa Clara Valley Medical Center (SCVMC) Hospital and Clinic providers may refer to PHLC via the HealthLink system.
If you are a provider outside the SCVMC Hospital and Clinic, please submit the referral and following information online at
For Providers.
- Most recent progress notes (pertinent to diagnosis) and growth charts
- Reports (labs results of ALT, Lipids Panel, Fasting Glucose & Hemoglobin A1C, ultrasound, etc.)
- Copy of insurance card or insurance information
- Registration form (must provide guarantor or legal guardian name, relationship, and date of birth)
- Approved authorization from managing agency (Excel, SCCIPA, CAP, etc.)
Outside referrals take 1-2 weeks to process. Please provide patients with PHLC patient handout or flyer and have them call PHLC at (408) 957–8601 for an appointment 2 weeks after the referral has been submitted.
How to Contact PHLC