Healthy Ways to Help Kids Lose Weight
January 2006-Are you looking for a healthy way to help your child or teenager lose weight? Memorial Regional Hospital Fitness Rehabilitation Center in Hollywood and Memorial Hospital West in Pembroke Pines offer programs designed specifically for young people.
Shapedown
Shapedown is a 10-week program for children ages 6 to 12 and their families. Both the kids and their parents are involved in Shapedown, says Pamela Downer, RD, registered dietitian at Memorial Hospital West Fitness Rehabilitation Center.By getting the family involved in the program, the kids can find the support they need from their own family members as well as the other children in the class. Some of the parents join the facility for the 10-week period so that they can exercise along with their child.
Shapedown meets for two hours every Saturday morning in the Memorial Hospital West Fitness Rehabilitation Center for 10 weeks. For the first hour, the children exercise while the parents take part in a lecture with a dietitian or psychologist. In the second hour, the parents and children learn healthy eating habits together.
Children can also join Cardio Kids exercise classes four times a week. These one-hour classes focus on fitness and fun for children ages 6 to 12.
Memorial H.E.A.T.
Teens from 13 to 18 years can find support from the H.E.A.T. (Healthy Eating for Active Teens) weight management program. This program offers a more personalized approach for teens who want a little more flexibility in their scheduling. H.E.A.T. is a one-on-one program that incorporates healthy eating with personal training. The teen participant meets with the dietitian once a week, and can start the program whenever he or she chooses. Parental involvement is not necessary for this program.
"We teach the importance of daily exercise and a balanced diet, says Marilyn Gordon, MS, RD, LD/N, registered dietitian at Memorial Regional Hospital Fitness Rehabilitation Center. Plus, the kids get to create their own exercise program as a project.
Regardless of which program families choose, the emphasis is on lifestyle changes, not quick fixes. To start your child on a healthy path to weight management, please contact Memorial Regional Hospital Fitness & Rehabilitation Center at (954) 265-5800 or Memorial Hospital West Fitness & Rehabilitation Center at (954) 844-7125.