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Your Obese Child
Tips to Help Them Control Their Weight
Steven J. Halm, DO, FAAP, FACP
Even prior to the current “epidemic” of obesity in children in the US, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) began a campaign trying to educate the public on the causes and risks of obesity in children. I remember giving many AAP-prepared lectures to PTA and civic clubs in the mid and late 1990s on the problem of childhood obesity.
In 2012, it has become the most challenging public health issue that threatens the health of the next generation. There are many reasons for this, which are important to review as managing these risks are the key to changing outcomes.
With my own patients, I have two main approaches to getting family's and their children to meet the challenge of obesity – and I present them here.*
First, is an adaptation of a regional program from Wake Forest University (Brenner’s Children’s Hospital) that helps families change their unhealthy lifestyle habits which add to obesity - the 543210 FIT Program. The second is what I call my “Atkins Beach Diet”, providing a specific diet approach that I have had success with in using in my young adult patients with weigh problems, which I have carried over to my pediatric and adolescent patients with success. I present them both here as guides to get families started on the road to recovery from the challenges of obesity.
The 5-4-3-2-1-0 FIT PROGRAM The "Atkins Beach Diet"
*Although these are "alternative diets" for adults, they are, in general, safe for children to follow. Parents must weigh the risks of a new approach against the risks of failed old approaches that continue to put their child at risk for complications of obesity, including diabetes, high cholesterol, heart disease and arthritis. You should always review any diet considerations with YOUR Pediatrician!
Steven J. Halm, DO, FAAP, FACP
Founder, YourPediatrician.com, Inc.
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