Nutrition Issues in Children and Teens
We are very lucky at Pediatric Associates of the Northwest to have a great nutritionist working in our office. Ruth Carey RD, LD, is available for consultations through our office, or you can contact her through her website at: ruthcarey.com.
The three most common problem areas in childhood nutrition are overweight or obesity, picky eaters, and underweight and disordered eating. Some basic information about these problems and links for more information are listed here.
Childhood overweight has doubled among 2-5 year olds, and tripled among 6-11 year olds over the past 3 decades. This can have major health consequences, as overweight children are much more likely to become overweight adults. Over consumption of energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods, and lack of activity are the major causes of overweight among children. The food guide pyramid is a great place to find dietary recommendations for providing children with a healthy diet. Go to www.Mypyramid.gov and click on kids for more information.
Picky eaters are a great source of anxiety for many parents. Parents can follow a very simple rule to ease this anxiety. It is the parent’s job to make food choices at the grocery store, and plan the meals, it is the kid's job deciding how much, or if they will eat. Many parents make the mistake of asking their kids what they want, instead of simply offering one or two healthy choices. A good reference for feeding your kids is nutrition expert Ellyn Satter, Registered Dietitian. Go to www.EllynSatter.com for help with feeding issues.
Occasionally parents struggle with kids who are underweight for height, or who develop disordered eating. While helping good eaters gain weight can be easy, treating disordered eating can be complicated and usually involves a treatment team. Disordered eating is a spectrum that can start as young as age 8, and usually involves body image issues. Parents concerned about disordered eating need to consult with their pediatrician and a dietitian to meet the specific needs of their child. For references about helping kids with eating disorders go to Gurze books catalogue at www.bulimia.com.
If you are concerned that your child has any nutrition or feeding problems, please contact our office. Our providers are here to help with all of your concerns about your child’s health.
Thanks to Ruth Carey, RD, LD for this information.
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