Weight Management

At Mackoul Pediatrics, we understand how challenging it may be to address the topic of pediatric weight management, and we approach this important and intimate topic not only with knowledge, expertise, and current best practices and nutritional pediatric guidelines, but also with kindness, patience, care, empathy, and compassion. Our goal is to help children and families build healthy habits that support their physical, mental, and emotional health.

What to do if you’re concerned about your child’s weight:
 

• Focus on habits rather than the scale. Track things like energy levels, sleep quality, eating patterns, and how active your child is during the day.

• Create consistent daily family routines around meal times, screen time hours, and some type of physical activity each day. Alternate between various physical activities each day to keep your child engaged and motivated. 

• Remember that small, steady changes often work better than big restrictions and sudden drastic routine changes.

• Don’t label any types of food as “good” or “bad”, but rather help your child understand how different foods make their body feel and perform.

• Watch for signs that weight may be affecting your child’s physical, mental, or emotional health, such as fatigue, lack of stamina, difficulty keeping up with peers, or negative body image.

• Watch out for and track any sudden significant changes in weight.

• Pay attention to frequently occurring weight and/ot appetite fluctuations.