The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) announced last week their new guidelines for treating childhood obesity, that, in addition to lifestyle changes, includes the use of medications and surgery for children 12 years and older.
Obesity is the most common chronic condition for children and adolescents, affecting 14.4 million young people in America. To dive into these new guidelines and treatment recommendations, I had a chance to interview pediatric nutritionist Ali Bandier, MS, RD, CDN. An advocate for science-based recommendations, Ali studied nutrition at Columbia University and trained at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, a top 5 children’s hospital in the US.
Why is obesity so common in children?
While genetic and hormonal factors play a role in childhood obesity, lifestyle issues are usually the main culprit. I see a lot of children choosing more sedentary, screen-based activities instead of going outside to play. Much of this shift has been driven by a combination of the pandemic and an increased prevalence of devices in our children’s lives, but can also be due to geographic factors when there isn’t a safe space to engage in outdoor activity. Additionally, many “kid foods” are high in calories and sugar, and over consumption of these items can lead to weight gain.
What are some ways to encourage healthy eating habits?
I always recommend for my clients to model the behavior they want to see in their children, especially when it comes to eating habits. Honoring hunger cues, serving appropriate serving sizes, and moderating consumption of sweets and highly-processed snacks are all ways that parents can model healthy eating behaviors for their children. By seeing their parents make healthy choices, kids will be inspired to follow suit.
Why is it important not to label foods as "good" or "bad?"
It’s so easy to make a statement like “I’m being good today” in relation to having a salad for lunch or “I’m being bad today” after ordering a side of fries. But, when children see their parents attach a moral weight to their consumption habits, they’ll internalize those emotions and can become prone to forming unhealthy associations with what they’re eating. This comes back to behavior modeling – it is important for parents to refrain from labeling foods as “good” or “bad” in their own lives because our little ones observe (and internalize) everything.
How can families encourage picky eaters to try new foods?
When encouraging “picky eaters” to try new foods, it’s important for parents to put their child in the driver’s seat. Oftentimes, picky eating is a manifestation of your child’s desire for control, so by giving your child the power to make a decision on how much they eat, you can honor this desire and they’ll often surprise you. Forcing foods will not help your child’s picky eating. Instead, a mealtime environment that allows children to explore without pressure leads to happier and more diverse eaters.
Why is it important to make healthy eating a family affair?
This all comes back to the behavior modeling I mentioned earlier. Children absorb everything and if they see their parents making healthy food choices and making physical activity a regular part of their routine, the child will be influenced to follow suit. Whether your child is struggling with obesity or not, creating and maintaining healthy family habits goes a long way towards helping your child establish a healthy relationship with food, their bodies, and their minds before a bigger health concern presents itself.
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About Ali Bandier, MS, RD, CDN
Ali Bandier, MS, RD, CDN, is a pediatric nutritionist who is focused on providing science-backed recommendations to help families lead healthier lives. Ali studied at Columbia University and trained at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, a top 5 children’s hospital in the US, where she helped hundreds of families navigate their medical nutrition needs. Ali is certified as a Maternal and Child Health Leader by California’s Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities program. She is also a member of the Children’s Health Council at Weill Cornell As an accredited member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the NYC Nutrition Education Network, the American Society for Nutrition, and the Greater New York Dietetic Association, Ali is an active part of the nutrition community.
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