Childhood obesity rates are steadily rising. Many medical experts claim that this generation of children may be the first to have a shorter life expectancy than that of their parents. Several studies now indicate that one out of every five children in the United States is overweight. These children have a 50 / 50 chance of becoming overweight adults. The earlier a child becomes overweight, the higher their chances of becoming a morbidly obese adult. Overweight children and teens have an increased risk for type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol leading to heart disease, as well as certain cancers. They may also suffer from low self-esteem, teasing and other forms of discrimination, as they get older.
Many parents and medical professionals are desperately trying to find ways to help children obtain a healthy weight and prevent the risk of future diseases. Hill Nutrition Associates has recognized this epidemic and is providing structured, individualized counseling to overweight children and their families. Healthy ‘n Fit is a structured 12-week one-on-one counseling program for children and teens from about age 8 to 14 years old.
Following the success with the Learn Program for adult weight management, the dietitians at Hill Nutrition Associates researched many programs for children’s weight management. The Healthy ‘n Fit program incorporates most of the same principles as the Learn Program, but it is presented in such a way that children quickly learn the healthy lifestyle lessons. The program philosophy is based on the proven success of customized nutrition plans for weight management. Many programs use generic meal plans and calorie levels for program participants. These programs tend to be unsuccessful because they are not tailored to the participant’s actual needs and lifestyles. The Healthy ‘n Fit program addresses all of the major nutrition causes of childhood obesity to provide the most well rounded nutrition counseling program available. The week-to-week goal setting and achievement tracking format of the Healthy ‘n Fit program uses positive reinforcement to promote healthy eating and exercise habits. Each topic is colorfully illustrated and contains age appropriate information. By working together, the whole family benefits with healthier eating habits. Children and their families receive nutrition counseling on topics such as portion control, healthy snacking, emotional eating and increasing physical activity. The structured private consultations allow each child to work individually with a dietitian to create individualized meal plans and exercise routines to help them reach and maintain a healthy weight.
Hill Nutrition Associates can be contacted at 772-220-8058
