an article from the Fall 2008 issue of … 

As a parent, you may not be able to tell if your child's weight is healthy. But it is important to find out. Research has shown that carrying extra weight in childhood can increase a child's chance of being overweight as an adult, says Lauren Dimitrov, RD, LDN, MPH, a registered dietitian who leads Franklin Square's Fit Families program.

A pediatrician can help you determine if your child needs to lose weight. If so, the doctor can refer you to Ms. Dimitrov, who counsels children up to age 18 at Franklin Square. "We have fun in our sessions," she says. "We choose goals that give kids a sense of accomplishment and can have a huge impact on the entire family's health."

Nutrition Made Easy

Weight is partly genetic, but a child's environment has strong influences, Ms. Dimitrov says. During a session, she spends 45 minutes discussing a family's work and school schedules, mealtime preferences and interests.

"Some families worry they'll have to change everything they're doing. We make it easy by choosing just a few goals per month," says Ms. Dimitrov. Examples include:

• Eating breakfast to rev up metabolism
• Drinking water or milk instead of soda and juice to avoid empty calories
• Limiting screen time—computers, television and video games—to two hours each day so children can be more active
  

"Lauren does a great job of really listening and helping families set goals they can achieve," says Harsha Bhagtani, MD, a pediatrician who helped develop the Fit Families program using the experiences of children in her practice. "I've seen a child lose 10 pounds—and her mother 30 pounds—just by cutting out soda!"

Fitness Can Be Fun

Families who visit Ms. Dimitrov are eligible to enroll in a four-week Fit Families session at Franklin Square. Each free 90-minute visit includes group physical activities, healthy recipes and nutritional tips for children and parents.

"A parent or guardian is a child's number one role model," explains Dr. Bhagtani. "Kids will follow if they see you enjoying healthy nutrition and fun exercises. We want the whole family to learn healthy habits together."

To participate in the Fit Families Program, a family must first meet with Lauren Dimotrov. Talk to your pediatrician about a referral or call 443-777-2000 for details.

Find a Pediatrian at Franklin Square

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The editorial content of this online publication is taken from the print version of Discover published by Franklin Square Hospital Center. Check out complete issues of Discover.