Health News
By Dr. Madelyn Fernstrom
Last week?s Weight of the Nation meeting in Washington, DC, put a lot of emphasis on fighting childhood obesity ? what I like to call ?family obesity.? You may not know that UPMC program, the Pittsburgh Healthy Kids Project, was highlighted as a practical, affordable solution to addressing this urgent problem.
We have developed this program ? a partnership of the UPMC Health Plan, Children?s Community Pediatrics, and Children?s Hospital ? in response to what parents of children struggling with their weight have told us is important to them: (1) involving their pediatrician; (2) insurance coverage; and (3) convenience.
This once-a-month program, offered in the physician?s office and focused on healthy habits for the whole family, has been a rousing success. Since children (unlike adults) continue to gain height, the goal is weight stability, which ultimately results in a slimmer, healthier child. Our five basics of family weight loss, based on recent science, are:
1. Limiting sugary drinks
2. Limiting fast food
3. Eating more family meals together
4. Less screen time (two hours max daily)
5. Being more active.
This is a realistic approach that provides ?real world? rather than ?perfect world? solutions.
At UPMC, we are pioneers in this field! As a researcher, clinician, and health advisor, I?m thrilled that we?ll be seeing more integrated programs like these for vulnerable children and their families, creating an environment where the point of obesity intervention is early.
- State Health Department Issues 'call For Action' To Fight Childhood Obesity, Seeks Help From Child-care Providers
The state Department for Public Health has issued a "call for action" to fight childhood obesity, a long-term health burden in which Kentucky continually ranks in the top 10 among states, and currently first among high-school students. The department's...
- Study Says Children Who Have Less Screen Time Show Benefits In All Areas Of Their Lives, Though Not Immediately
It's hard enough for parents to set expectations for children when everyone can see an immediate result, like a clean room or a grade; it is even harder to set expectations for children when it takes months to see the outcome, like the benefits that...
- Parents Should Walk The Walk, Not Just Talk The Talk, When It Comes To Healthy Eating And Exercise, Study Shows
A new study highlights the influential role parents have in shaping their children's eating and exercise habits. Children of mothers who encourage them to exercise and eat well, while doing likewise themselves, are more likely to be active and healthy...
- To Keep Kids From Getting Fat, Use Smaller Plates And Portions, Limit Tv Viewing And Make Sure They Get 10 Hours Of Sleep A Night
Kentucky ranks high in child obesity. Parents can make sure their children maintain a healthy weight with three simple suggestions highlighted in recent studies: Serve them meals on smaller, child-size plates, pay attention to what they watch...
- How To Help Your Child Lose Weight? Lose Weight Yourself
If parents want to help their children lose weight, they should lose weight themselves, a new study shows. "Parents are the most significant people in a child's environment, serving as the first and most important teachers," said Kerri N. Boutelle,...
Health News
Five Ways to Fight Childhood Obesity
By Dr. Madelyn Fernstrom
Last week?s Weight of the Nation meeting in Washington, DC, put a lot of emphasis on fighting childhood obesity ? what I like to call ?family obesity.? You may not know that UPMC program, the Pittsburgh Healthy Kids Project, was highlighted as a practical, affordable solution to addressing this urgent problem.
We have developed this program ? a partnership of the UPMC Health Plan, Children?s Community Pediatrics, and Children?s Hospital ? in response to what parents of children struggling with their weight have told us is important to them: (1) involving their pediatrician; (2) insurance coverage; and (3) convenience.This once-a-month program, offered in the physician?s office and focused on healthy habits for the whole family, has been a rousing success. Since children (unlike adults) continue to gain height, the goal is weight stability, which ultimately results in a slimmer, healthier child. Our five basics of family weight loss, based on recent science, are:
1. Limiting sugary drinks
2. Limiting fast food
3. Eating more family meals together
4. Less screen time (two hours max daily)
5. Being more active.
This is a realistic approach that provides ?real world? rather than ?perfect world? solutions.
At UPMC, we are pioneers in this field! As a researcher, clinician, and health advisor, I?m thrilled that we?ll be seeing more integrated programs like these for vulnerable children and their families, creating an environment where the point of obesity intervention is early.
- State Health Department Issues 'call For Action' To Fight Childhood Obesity, Seeks Help From Child-care Providers
The state Department for Public Health has issued a "call for action" to fight childhood obesity, a long-term health burden in which Kentucky continually ranks in the top 10 among states, and currently first among high-school students. The department's...
- Study Says Children Who Have Less Screen Time Show Benefits In All Areas Of Their Lives, Though Not Immediately
It's hard enough for parents to set expectations for children when everyone can see an immediate result, like a clean room or a grade; it is even harder to set expectations for children when it takes months to see the outcome, like the benefits that...
- Parents Should Walk The Walk, Not Just Talk The Talk, When It Comes To Healthy Eating And Exercise, Study Shows
A new study highlights the influential role parents have in shaping their children's eating and exercise habits. Children of mothers who encourage them to exercise and eat well, while doing likewise themselves, are more likely to be active and healthy...
- To Keep Kids From Getting Fat, Use Smaller Plates And Portions, Limit Tv Viewing And Make Sure They Get 10 Hours Of Sleep A Night
Kentucky ranks high in child obesity. Parents can make sure their children maintain a healthy weight with three simple suggestions highlighted in recent studies: Serve them meals on smaller, child-size plates, pay attention to what they watch...
- How To Help Your Child Lose Weight? Lose Weight Yourself
If parents want to help their children lose weight, they should lose weight themselves, a new study shows. "Parents are the most significant people in a child's environment, serving as the first and most important teachers," said Kerri N. Boutelle,...