THE | DIET DETECTIVE^®

My coworker was distressed.  She had just finished what we educators call diabetes self-management training with a 14 year old, newly diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.  It was hard to see someone so young with a condition that used to be reserved for the 40+ age set.  Getting past the teenage barriers- fast food, skipped meals, lack of sleep, inactivity, and peer pressure-would be tough, but that was not the most distressing part either.  It was the non-supportive mom who showed up with the teenager.  She blandly told my coworker that “I told Janie* she was killing herself with her food.  She has to decide she is going to do this, because it ain’t my problem”. 

Parents, I hate to tell you this, but it is your problem.  As long as your child is under your roof, you can take an active role in their health and care.  One of the greatest rewards you can experience is to be a mentor for your child.  Webster’s Comprehensive Dictionary defines ‘mentor’ as: “A wise and trusted teacher, guide, and friend.” Parents often don’t realize what an anchor they are to their children.  They also don’t realize how closely their children mimic their habits and personalities.  Children don’t just wake up one day and know how to take care of themselves.  So, what can a parent do to be a mentor, not a menace to their child, in assisting them with a healthy lifestyle?

• Lead by example

Do you really expect your child to be active if you sit on the couch all evening with the TV remote in your hand?  Will Janie be able to drink more water when you haven’t gotten rid of the soft drinks?  Do you expect her to eat a salad when you are scarfing down a greasy cheeseburger?  Take time to go for a walk with your child, or toss a ball, or climb stairs in the local football stadium, or do an exercise tape together.  Keep healthy snacks and food in the house, get water bottles for the both of you and keep them filled.  If you adopt healthier habits, your child will be more likely to follow.

• Make goals for the family

Much like you would make your own “exercise” or “menu” calendar, make one together as a family.  Have everyone pitch in an individual goal weekly, and brainstorm together on how achieve that goal.

• Share the Shopping/Fast food choices

Have your child go grocery shopping with you and compare healthy vs. non-healthy items.  This takes time, but it is an education for the both of you.  Take a look at fast foods before you choose them.  Go together online to http://www.foodfacts.info/ to search for information on your favorite fast food restaurant.  Have them help you with a healthy meal at home.  They will be more open to eating something that they have prepared themselves.

• Find your own motivation

When you dive in to help your child, watch for set-backs.  If you come out charging, your child may not charge with you at first.  Don’t let this get you down.  Go on a reward system for yourself and your child.  A new clothing item, a movie together, music download card, small gift card from a local retail store, or a free pass for a week on a daily chore.  Make sure rewards are non-food.

• Watch the weight trap

Don’t make weight loss a goal; children may grow into their weight if healthy lifestyle patterns are adopted.  Go by body measurements and improvements in fitness instead.   Measure the upper arm, hip and thigh, then re-measure in several months to see if there are changes.  Can your child do a few more push-ups by the end of the month? Can they play longer without getting winded?  Have their clothes gotten looser?  Do they have more self-confidence and are they making better food choices for themselves?  These are better measurements than weight loss.

• Above all, be nurturing

Don’t nag, don’t put your child down, and above all, don’t tell them they are “going to die” if they don’t improve their health.  Cheer them on, help them work through their own barriers, and ban the words “fat”, “chubby”, “plump”, “chunky”, and “baby fat” from your home.  To a child, these words are as harsh as any curse word you could utter to them.  Be a center for your child, a light in their storm.  Listen to them, and help them problem solve and be aware of the image you have of yourself; nurture your own self-esteem so you can nurture theirs.

Your New Year’s resolution can be your child’s healthy solution.  Their life is truly in your hands, and you can make a difference.  Be there for them in 2007.  It will be the greatest resolution you have ever made.

For more information on parents as mentors, go to: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/parenting.html