Bronx Teens See Major Health Gains — One Reverses Prediabetes, One Reverses Fatty Liver — Through North Central Bronx Program

Bronx Teens See Major Health Gains - One Reverses Prediabetes, One Reverses Fatty Liver - Through North Central Bronx Program

The Family Weight Management Program helps young patients learn healthy eating and exercise

Aug 17, 2026

One teenager reversed his prediabetes and shed nearly 40 pounds. Another lost 11 pounds while growing 2 inches taller and improved his liver enzymes-and both did it together through the Family Weight Management Program at NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi | North Central Bronx. The results achieved by 14-year-old Matias Lopez and 15-year-old Jesus Huiltil Cirne are among the program's success stories.

For nearly a year, every Thursday from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 pm, middle schooler Matias Lopez attended the program's teen sessions. Over the course of eight months, he lost 11 pounds and grew by just over 2 inches.

Lopez, who turned 14 in July, particularly enjoys the program's cardio components. "I really enjoyed the experience, the exercises, and the nutrition. The doctor followed up about a week ago and said everything is going very well."

When Lopez first came to the Weight Management Program, tests showed elevated liver enzymes tied to obesity-related fatty liver. Just months later, those numbers are back to normal, marking a major turnaround in his health - notably, without diabetes or prediabetes ever being a factor.

"They encouraged me to continue with the exercises," said Lopez. "I eat whole-grain bread, plenty of vegetables and fruits, and drink a lot of water."

Fifteen-year-old Jesus Huiltil Cirne lost 39 pounds in seven months, reduced his blood sugar from 152mg/dL to 98mg/dL, and reversed his prediabetes.

"He not only lost weight, but he is no longer prediabetic, and his liver functions are now normal," said Dr. Jana Romm, Attending Physician and Director for Pediatric Quality and Safety at North Central Bronx.

Launched in 2022, the program is open to children ages 5-12 on Tuesdays and teens ages 12-21 on Thursdays.

"I'm feeling great - super great. This is something I plan to keep going forever," said Cirne. "They helped me by showing what to eat and avoid. I love this experience."

The online setup combines equipment-free exercise sessions led by physiologist Guy Rivera with nutrition counseling from Outpatient Pediatric Dietitian John Baglioni, MPH, RD, CDN.

"We focus on exercises that kids can easily do at home without equipment or gym memberships," explained Baglioni. "Guy teaches cardio-based workouts with strength training - kickboxing, high-intensity interval training, and joint rotations - that participants can repeat throughout the week."

The nutrition component covers healthy breakfast, lunch, and dinner options, as well as smart snacking to lessen reliance on fast and junk food.

For families in the Bronx seeking accessible, effective weight management support, the program offers hope and proven results.

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Contact: Rawle Titus, NYC Health + Hospitals/North Central Bronx, 332- 259-2512

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About NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi | North Central BronxThe Jacobi campus of NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi | North Central Bronx is a 457-bed teaching hospital affiliated with the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. The facility has earned numerous Center of Excellence designations, accreditation, and recognition for its renowned Level 1 Trauma Center, Burn Center, Surgical Intensive Care Unit, regional Stroke Center, Snakebite Treatment Center, Breast Health Center, Bariatric Surgery Center, and Cancer Service. The facility also offers the region's only multi-person hyperbaric chamber, allowing up to nine patients to dive together at one time. Jacobi's Ambulatory Care Pavilion is a stunning complement to its inpatient acute care, allowing staff to provide patients with high-quality service in a modern, state-of-the-art environment. For more information visit https://www.nychealthandhospitals.org/jacobi/.

The North Central Bronx campus of NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi | North Central is a member facility of the NYC Health + Hospitals system, one of eleven acute care facilities within the City of New York. A 215-bed community hospital, North Central Bronx specializes in women's and children's services. It also provides Behavioral Health acute and ambulatory care. Its busy outpatient department has led the way in community-based care delivered in a compassionate and culturally-appropriate manner. Its Labor and Delivery service safely brings more than 1,000 babies into the world each year. North Central Bronx is committed to providing safe, high-quality medical care for any and all in need. For more information visit https://www.nychealthandhospitals.org/north-central-bronx/.

About NYC Health + Hospitals
NYC Health + Hospitals is the largest municipal health care system in the nation serving more than a million New Yorkers annually in more than 70 patient care locations across the city's five boroughs. A robust network of outpatient, neighborhood-based primary and specialty care centers anchors care coordination with the system's trauma centers, nursing homes, post-acute care centers, home care agency, and MetroPlusHealth -all supported by 11 essential hospitals. Its diverse workforce of more than 46,000 employees is uniquely focused on empowering New Yorkers, without exception, to live the healthiest life possible. For more information, visit www.nychealthandhospitals.org and stay connected on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.