| Welcome! This new page on the MDA website will spotlight childhood
health and nutrition. We will be offering tips for both parents and health
professionals. In the future we'll be expanding our list of references and
resources. Thanks for visiting, and for helping MDA give ALL children
a healthier future!
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| HEALTHY KIDS OF ALL SHAPES AND SIZES
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Tips for Parents
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| People are born with different types of body sizes. Growth spurts may
make a child look too heavy or too thin at any given time. If you are
concerned about your child’s weight, here are some tips to help you:
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- Focus on the whole family eating well and being physically fit,
not just the child.
- Make healthy eating and physical activity fun for the whole family.
- Don’t put your child on a diet or restrict food. Concentrate on
providing whole grains, lean meats/fish, lots of fruits and
vegetables, and low fat dairy products.
- See a physician and registered dietitian for professional health
care advice.
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Tips for Health Professionals
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| Excessive weight gain and obesity in children are on the rise, as well
as high cholesterol and diabetes. This should be a concern for parents, schools,
the medical community, and people as a whole. Yet children come in all shapes and
sizes. Some are born with the predisposition of naturally carrying more weight than
others. Also, growth can make a child look too heavy or too thin at different
times in their childhood. If you have a concern that a child has a weight problem,
a medical exam may be indicated, along with a referral to see a registered
dietitian specializing in child eating and weight management. |
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References/Links
Obesity Evaluation and Treatment: Expert Committee Recommendations-
an article from PEDIATRICS Vol. 102 No. 3 September 1998.
Michigan Department of Community Health
National Institute on Child Health and Human Development
US Department of Health and Human Services
Centers for Disease Control
United Dairy Industry of Michigan
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