Published: March 01, 2007 12:19 pm            

Weight loss program designed especially for kids

For an adult looking to lose weight, the list of weight loss centers and programs is endless.

For children, the options were few and far between, until now.

Weigh Healthy Kidz, LLC, 2140 Eggert Road, Amherst, is a center-based weight loss program that utilizes an exclusive food plan developed by a board-certified practicing pediatrician, together with the expertise of a certified dietitian.

The program was started by Lana Green and Marina Borzynski, both parents.

“I have a daughter that is overweight and I didn’t know what to do, there were no programs available for her,” Green said.

The program is under the guidance and extensive training of a board-certified practicing pediatrician along with consultations from a local registered dietitian and nurse practitioner.

“We get most of our clients from doctor referrals,” Green said.

Weigh Healthy Kidz is designed to motivate and assist overweight children and teens, ages 6 -15, to reach and maintain a healthy weight.

The program is designed to not only help children reach a healthy weight, but also help improve self-esteem, give children a great opportunity to make new friends, and learn healthy life-long eating habits in a fun and supportive environment.

It utilizes a unique food plan with portions designed specifically for children, developed by a practicing board-certified pediatrician together with the expertise of a certified dietitian.

“The color-coded meal plan makes it so kids don’t have to count calories,” Green said. “It makes weight loss fun and helps to teach portion control.”

Each program includes:

 

* An individualized evaluation that is updated throughout the program.

* An individualized color-coded meal plan specifically based on each participant's BMI (Body Mass Index), generated by a board-certified practicing pediatrician.

* Weekly, confidential weigh-ins to help track progress.

* Weekly age-appropriate interactive learning sessions.

* Nutritional support and guidance.

* Peer support and motivation.

* Weight management and lifestyle skills.

* Reevaluations every twelve weeks to determine if the individualized plan needs adjustments.

* Every participant is carefully monitored to prevent too rapid weight loss.



Dr. Wendy V. Sapolsky, a board-certified practicing pediatrician in Jacksonville, Fla., for the past 12 years, developed the weight management program for children and teens along with the expertise of a pediatric dietitian.  The food plan is based on the USDA National Food Guide Pyramid. 

Green and Borzynski licensed the meal plan from Dr. Sapolsky but have incorporated their own unique aspects into the program such as weekly, age-appropriate group sessions for kids, exercise challenges like the “Walk to Disneyland Challenge” and the “Commercial Challenge,” that encourages kids to so some sort of exercise during television commercials when they are watching TV.

“By coming to the weekly meetings, participants and parents will learn how to make healthy eating choices, enjoy their food and get fun activity ideas to help get moving,” Green said.

For more information on Weigh Healthy Kidz, call 833-6190 or visit them on the Web at www.weighhealthykidz.com.



 

        

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