New Weight Loss Program Helps Overweight Children

Main Category: Obesity / Weight Loss / Fitness
Also Included In: Pediatrics / Children's Health
Article Date: 14 Oct 2009 - 6:00 PST

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According to the Mayo Clinic, 25 million U.S. children and adolescents are overweight or nearly overweight. So, what should a parent do if the doctor says his or her child is overweight? Parents can turn to Smart for Life's™ THINADVENTURE™ healthy weight loss program, which recently launched at Smart for Life™ Centers in Cherry Hill and Berlin, N.J., and King of Prussia and Langhorne, Pa.

The medically-supervised program for children ages five to 14 was created to help parents promote a structured diet of nutritious, yet tasty and convenient, alternatives to junk and fast food. Establishing life-long healthy eating habits in childhood can help ward off serious health related issues such as type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and heart disease later on.

"We all know that childhood obesity is an epidemic in America," says Allan Magaziner, D.O., a certified nutrition specialist, and co-director of the THINADVENTURE™ and Smart for Life™ programs. "Teaching your children to eat small, healthy multiple meals throughout the day, along with increasing activity, will help them maintain a healthy weight and lower their risk of chronic illnesses."

THINADVENTURE™ products include Smart™ cookies, soups, shakes, cupcakes and underWAY™ (a low calorie fruit-flavored beverage with added vitamins and fiber), all without preservatives, chemicals or GMOs. All items fall within the dietary guidelines of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's food pyramid and contain natural appetite suppressing ingredients and functional foods like plant sterols, soluble fiber, antioxidants and essential fatty acids, among others, to enhance overall health.

"THINADVENTURE™ is a lifestyle changing program that focuses on healthy eating," stresses Dr. Magaziner. "It can not only help overweight children lose those unnecessary pounds, but can also make the process fun, while boosting their self-confidence."

Depending on age, children should eat three to six Smart™ products per day (available in a starter kit or individually), plus a specified lunch and dinner (lean protein and vegetables) with plenty of fluids. The initial doctor consultation costs $99, and products range from $3 to $7. For more information about the THINADVENTURE™ healthy lifestyle program, call 856-424-4747 or visit http://www.thinadventure.com.

Source
Mayo Clinic

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