Pediatric Nutrition & Obesity

At Banner Children’s, we’re here to provide customized nutrition plans for your child. Find out more about nutrition and how to prevent obesity.

What is Pediatric Nutrition?

Pediatric nutrition focuses on the health and wellbeing of your child and provides comprehensive care for them as they grow. Within pediatric nutrition, we focus on healthy food choices to establish good eating habits for your child to live a long, healthy life, as well as to prevent obesity.

Causes of Childhood Pediatric Obesity

While lifestyle and nutrition play a large role in pediatric obesity, it’s important to note that genetics and hormones also may play a part. To reduce the risk of your child becoming overweight or obese, it’s important to teach them about proper nutrition and exercise.

Diseases and Conditions Obese Children Are at Risk For

Some obese children may develop diseases or conditions over their lifetime such as:

• Diabetes
• Heart disease
• High blood pressure
• Bone problems

Preventing Childhood Obesity

To help prevent or reduce the risk of childhood obesity, we’re here to provide knowledge about nutrition and exercise. It’s important to be armed with the proper information to help you and your child be successful. Take measures to stay on track by:

• Exercising as a family
• Eating meals together
• Limiting screen times on phones, computers, TV and video games
• Limiting sugary drinks like sodas
• Ensuring everyone is getting enough sleep

Pediatric Outpatient Nutrition Program

Our Pediatric Outpatient Nutrition program brings nutrition therapy to kids and their families. During medical nutrition therapy, we:

• Assess and evaluate your child’s overall nutritional status
• Assess your family’s understanding and educational needs
• Customize a treatment plan

Many insurance companies now cover medical nutrition therapy, but you should confirm your coverage with your insurance provider.

What Conditions Can Benefit from Better Nutrition?

Pediatricians commonly refer kids with these and other conditions to our Pediatric Outpatient Nutrition program:

• Cancer
• Celiac disease
• Diabetes
• Dyslipidemias (high cholesterol and triglycerides)
• Enteral nutritional support requirements
• Failure to thrive
• Food allergies
• Gastrointestinal disorders
• High blood pressure
• Hypertension
• Infant feeding concerns
• Obesity
• Patients requiring NICU graduate follow-up
• Renal disease
• Vegetarian diets

Banner Children’s is here to help keep you and your family healthy and well. If you’re looking for more help with your child’s nutritional needs, learn more here.