Children and Adolescents

Growth and development of a lifetime of good eating habits is my goal when working with parents, children and teenagers.  Nutrition is the foundation for good health and it makes sense to start at the beginning. Children and adolescents must not be allowed to become complacent, as healthy dietary and exercise habits learned early on tend to translate into more healthy outcomes in the future.

In June 2002, the President's Health and Fitness Initiative was issued and it challenged all children to participate in at least 60 minutes of physical activity each day.  We know this is all too often not the case.   Although U.S. children are more active than adults, a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) survey showed that 48% of girls and 26% of boys do not exercise vigorously on a regular basis.  In addition, 25% of all U.S. children watch 4 or more hours of television each day – and this does not even take into account the time spent playing video games or surfing the Web.

I work closely with all athletes to increase and maximize their sports performance through nutrition.  This requires us to find the right dietary solution that compliments the athletic passion.  Whether it is basketball, gymnastics, field hockey, wrestling or volleyball, I understand the importance of growing body mass and muscle, while managing weight in a healthy way that supports the athlete’s needs.

Eating Right and Eating Disorders
Eating disorders are complex illnesses characterized by atypical eating patterns, a distorted body image and a preoccupation with body weight and shape.  85% of eating disorders occur when girls are still growing, particularly at the onset of adolescence.  While usually associated with teenage girls, teenage boys are also at risk for eating disorders.  These unhealthy dietary habits practiced at a young age, such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, usually occur when the teen feels like he/she has lost control of his/her life.  Visits with me can help you achieve your optimal weight through eating responsibly and regular exercise.

Primary prevention through education and awareness is the best approach to reduce the prevalence of eating disorders.  This includes educating preadolescent girls and boys on the importance of accepting their body and promoting healthy self-esteem, and partnering with young women and men to include goals in their weight counseling strategies that support body size acceptance and the attainment of a healthful weight.