Friday, November 23, 2012

Reversing adolescent obesity: "kids are put in command of their own decisions"

http://www.wickedlocal.com/framingham/news/x35742871/Reversing-adolescent-obesity#axzz2D3CZcRdr


Reversing adolescent obesity


By Scott O’Connell
Posted Nov 23, 2012 @ 07:40 AM


"One of the most important features of the Center for Youth Wellness’s initiative, he said, is that the kids are put in command of their own decisions.

“Our focus is to equip them to be the agents of change,” Leidig said. “A lot of these kids are getting school breakfasts, they’re getting school lunches … after school, they’re going to convenience stores with their friends, or fast-food places – they’re making all those decisions themselves.”

Rather than focus on immediate results – the program eschews scale-watching and in general tries to be non-judgmental about its participants’ weight troubles – the kids are taught how to make healthy choices for themselves that will pay off in the long-run. Participants set their own weekly goals, Leidig said, which can include anything from drinking fewer sugar-sweetened beverages to making sure to eat a breakfast every morning."





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