Is my child overweight?

Our initial 60-minute assessment will cover your child’s growth, development and early nutrition and feeding history. I will work with you to understand your child’s eating habits (what, how, when) as part of the greater family. With this information, I will explain which foods your child is eating enough of and those foods or nutrients we need to focus on, e.g. iron. I want to understand your child (and family’s) relationship with food and eating.

Once the assessment is done, together we create a management strategy that fits with your unique family’s needs. This will be practical, whole family-based and provide a detailed guide of ‘what’ (types and quantities of foods to include), as well as ‘how’ (meal time & responsive feeding management strategies). We will discuss healthy growth and your child’s growth goals and how to recognise and respond to hunger and fullness signals. Please note that weight loss is not encouraged in children; rather growing taller, or into their bodies. I will provide you with how to talk about food and nutrition at home and help your child create a positive relationship with food.

Over time, we will refine this strategy, based on your child’s progress and growth. I will advise if your child may need blood tests or additional investigations and I will refer, or liaise with your other healthcare professionals, if needed (such as their paediatrician or GP).