Pediatric Weight Loss Program Encourages a Healthy Diet

Excessive weight gain among children and teens in America has become a serious public health problem. Recent studies show that 14 percent of children and 11 percent of adolescents are overweight.

“Overweight children are at an increased risk of becoming obese adults, which is associated with higher rates of morbidity and mortality,” explains Kelly Iorillo- Januzzi, R.D., a Registered Dietitian at Saint Barnabas Medical Center.

To encourage children to eat better, Registered Dietitians at Saint Barnabas devised “Kids Win!,” a Children’s Healthy Eating and Weight Loss Program designed for young people between the ages of 8 and 15. The 10-week program, held at the Medical Center, focuses on healthy eating, physical activity and behavior modification.

Topics include: diet-disease connection, choosing healthy snacks, understanding portion sizes, food advertising, food labels, eating out, exercise and positive body image.

“Kid’s Win!” was created in response to the many calls to the dietary office at Saint Barnabas from parents and pediatricians seeking such a program. Rather than a weight-loss program, “Kid’s Win!” focuses on changing poor eating habits and encouraging healthy eating.

“We do not encourage restrictive diets for young people,” adds Ms. Iorillo-Januzzi. “It is important for those who have not reached puberty to have all the nutrients needed for growth.”

In a typical class, teens and preteens maintain a food diary, comparing what they consumed with the recommended number of servings suggested for each food group. They play a health version of “Jeopardy!” where the answers enhance knowledge of nutrition and healthy eating.

“We hope to help them to choose better foods and appreciate the importance of exercise,” adds Ms. Iorillo-Januzzi.