September is Childhood Obesity Awareness month, and Dr. Swati Narain, a pediatric primary care doctor at Maimonides Health, offers guidance and reassurance for parents to keep their families healthy.

Dr. Narain urges parents to schedule regular well-child visits with their pediatrician, as it’s not always easy to know when a child’s weight may be impacting their health. And helping children maintain a healthy weight is not something parents need to do all on their own. Furthermore, healthy habits suggested during these appointments can benefit the whole family.

“What is healthy for the child is also healthy for the rest of the family,” says Dr. Narain. “So we encourage a family-based intervention at Maimonides, where we encourage the whole family to take part in nutrition and exercise.”

Children’s weight can be affected by both genetic and environmental factors—such as diet, exercise, and sleep—which will be unique to each child. “There is not a one-size-fits-all, so you need to go to your pediatrician,” Dr. Narain says. Through your child’s doctor you can gain access to nutrition counseling and other care to help your child reach and maintain a healthy weight.

Comprehensive and individualized care is what you can expect from Maimonides through our Childhood Obesity Program. Pediatricians like Dr. Narain help families gain access to nutrition and dietary counseling, as well referrals to specialists who can assess other conditions related to obesity such mental health and sleep disorders.

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