To all you parents out there: have you ever struggled with getting your child to eat more fruits and vegetables? Had trouble finding time amidst busy schedules to prepare healthy meals? Do you have a child that would rather sit in front of the TV, computer or video games instead of getting outside and running around? We understand that it’s not always easy to get your child to eat healthy or be active. You want your kids to live a healthy life and learn those habits at an early age. But it’s not always easy. And unfortunately unhealthy habits can lead to childhood obesity and other health concerns.
All of us at Brown Clinic are are concerned about childhood obesity. It has more than doubled in children and tripled in adolescents in the last 30 years. Weight management and obesity prevention are very important. Our physicians, pharmacist, and myself understand weight problems and we work together to help patients – including kids – improve their health and wellness while achieving a healthier weight.
Thus it is with great excitement, that we are proud to announce a new program for kids. It’s called STRIVE Kids and it aims at teaching healthy lifestyle habits and eating, and ways to increase physical activity. Here are some specifics about the program:
What:
- 12 month program focused on teaching the child, parents, and family healthy lifestyle habits, healthy eating, and ways to increase physical activity.
- Two visits (minimum) with their physician.
- Eight visits with me, Kelsey Raml, Registered Dietitian. Visits will be monthly for the first 6 months, then at 9 months, and at 12 months.
- Referrals can be made to other health care professionals such as our pharmacist, Deidra, physical therapists, or counselors, if needed.
- All visits and services will be applied their insurance. If parents do not want to bill their insurance for this, there is a cash option available for the nutrition visits.
Why:
- Childhood obesity has more than doubled in children and tripled in adolescents in the last 30 years.
- Children and adolescents who are obese are more likely to become obese adults.
- Those youth whose weight is in the overweight or obese categories are more likely to have risk of factors for health problems in the future, such as heart disease or diabetes.
Where:
- Appointments with their physician will occur at the doctor’s location (Main or NR).
- Appointments with Kelsey will occur at Northridge.
If you’re interested in learning more about STRIVE Kids, we’re here to answer your questions. Give me a call at 605-884-4226 or email strive2survive@brownclinic.org.
We are really looking forward to helping children strive for healthy habits that will last a lifetime!
Kelsey Raml, MS, RD, LN
Registered Dietitan
