Your Child's Health - Archive

Also in this issue: Video: Potty Training Spring is Coming and So Is Allergy Season Focusing Too Much on One Sport Risks Injury Getting a Good Night’s Rest Drop That Swab: New Guidelines Introduced for Earwax Removal NEWSLETTER HOME PAGE		More Thin Kids Say They Are Overweight More kids today — particularly pre-adolescent and adolescent girls — think they’re overweight, even if they’re not. Dr. Stephanie Setliff, medical director of the Center for Pediatric Eating Disorders at Children’s and assistant professor of Pediatric Psychiatry at UT Southwestern, has seen girls as young as 6 worry about their weight. Magazines and TV shows that feature ultra-thin models and pop stars fuel the trend, she says. They lead kids to think such unrealistic goals are the norm. Parents who obsess over their own eating or exercise habits can make things worse. “I think what goes on at home and what comes out of the media are both involved,” Dr. Setliff says. “But two messages need to be transmitted: One is that people come in all different shapes and sizes. The other is that we need to focus on children’s strength and self-esteem and sense of accomplishment, not just on their bodies.” Overweight solution: A proactive approach In a recent study of Girl Scouts in fifth and sixth grades, about 30 percent said they were doing something to lose weight. Most took moderate steps: They ate more fruits and vegetables or less high-fat foods. But a few took laxatives or diet pills, say University of Minnesota researchers. At that age (10, on average), any dieting can affect growth and raise risks of fatigue, irritability, low self-esteem, depression and eating disorders. Yet one-third of the dieting girls said they weren’t overweight. Today, of course, more young persons are actually overweight than in the past. Those cases need “a multi-pronged approach involving food, exercise, education, and a decrease in hours spent watching television,” Dr. Setliff says. “And, the whole family needs to be in on it.” Get help for overweight obsession What if your child’s fear of being overweight seems groundless — or if you’re not sure? You should seek advice from your pediatrician or another healthcare professional who knows children and eating disorders. Some children benefit from early medical, nutrition, and psychological counseling. Children’s has provided treatment for eating disorders for more than 20 years and remains the only hospital in the multi-state area that treats both girls and boys up to 18 with eating disorders in an inpatient setting that provides a full continuum of care. The program offers five levels of care ranging from inpatient to partial hospitalization; day treatment; intensive outpatient; and outpatient services. For more information on the center’s programs, call 214-456-5900. Resources Growth and Development - Eating Disorders Last reviewed: March 2009		Find a Doctor Find a Speciality & Service Request an Appointment Support Children's About Children's childrens.com
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