One in three children in the United States is overweight or obese. Establishing good nutrition and healthy eating habits from an early age is a mission of the pediatricians at Virginia Pediatric Group. At the offices in Herndon, Aldie, Great Falls, and Fairfax, Virginia, the team provides resources to ensure your child is getting the nutrients they need to thrive. They can also address breastfeeding, specialized diets, eating disorders, and other nutrition-related issues that can impact your child’s development. We are proud to offer Intensive Health Behavior and Lifestyle Treatment (IHBLT). Call the Virginia Pediatric Group office nearest you to schedule a nutrition evaluation or book an appointment online today.
Proper nutrition is an essential part of healthy growth and development for babies and children. Not getting enough essential nutrients can cause delays in your child’s growth, while too many empty calories can put your child at increased risk for health complications, like obesity and diabetes.
The providers at Virginia Pediatric Group offer comprehensive nutrition services that focus on your growing child’s needs at every stage of life.
The team at Virginia Pediatric Group addresses a variety of nutrition topics as part of routine well-child checkups or if you have concerns about your child’s nutrition.
For example, your pediatrician can provide guidance on nutrition-related concerns such as:
If your child has an underlying medical issue, like celiac disease or diabetes, that requires a specialized diet, the team provides recommendations to ensure they get the nutrients they need.
Checking on growth and nutrition is part of every well-child visit at Virginia Pediatric Group. You can expect nutritional guidance based on your child’s age.
Virginia Pediatric Group supports breastfeeding in the first year of life. They can assist you with breastfeeding challenges and discuss options for using formula if you’re unable to breastfeed. The providers also offer guidance on when and how to add healthy solid foods to your baby’s diet.
Nutritional guidance for active toddlers and preschoolers, who are often too “busy” to eat, focuses on incorporating nutrient-dense foods into their daily diet and ensuring they get enough calcium to build strong bones and teeth.
As they go to school and friends’ homes, this age group becomes more independent in making food choices on their own. It’s important to expose them to a variety of nutritious foods that promote wellness and reduce their risk of becoming overweight.
Nutrition for adolescents focuses on the changing needs of older kids as they mature. Girls need more iron as they start menstruating, and boys might require more protein to build healthy muscles throughout puberty.
In addition to helping teens make healthy food choices, the pediatricians can also address body-image issues that may increase their risk for self-harm or eating disorders.
To schedule a nutrition evaluation for your child, call the Virginia Pediatric Group office nearest you or book an appointment online today.