Presentation to Oregon Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Pediatric Practice Group.
Key points in this presentation:
- Meet with parents first to review all the factors associated with weight:
- Sleep–children who do not get enough sleep or who do not sleep well are more apt to have issues with excessive weight gain.
- Physical activity–look at both sedentary time and physical activity. Reducing sedentary time (e.g. screen time) can have a major effect on weight.
- When and where children eat or “HOW” kids eat. Children who graze all day, or eat while watching TV, riding in the care, or while playing or doing homework are more apt to over eat.
- What kids eat–look at foods and beverages. For some kids, just cutting down on juices and other sweet drinks and substituting water can result in a big decrease in empty calorie intake. Increasing vegetables and whole grains and decreasing refined and processed foods will also decrease total caloric intake.
- Help parents to make changes at home prior to involving kids.
- Work with kids themselves on actual food projects–teach them how to make healthy meals and snacks; take them to the grocery store and teach them how to choose healthy foods….
- Take the focus off of weight and put it on development of healthy lifestyle habits.
This is a very basic overview of Central Oregon Nutrition Consultations individualized weight management program for children and teens.
