Experts believe that the popularity of television, with the resulting drop in physical activity and the increased consumption of convenience foods, might be contributing to the rise of obesity in children, Hassink says. For the first time, we have the ability to look at the individual and the way that individual handles his or her weight. Up until now, we've been looking at obese people as a group. Each person's obesity is unique, Hassink says, so the weight management professionals at the A.I. duPont Institute evaluate each child's medical condition, eating and exercise habits and any psychological problems, such as low self-esteem. They also treat the children and their families as a group and tailor solutions to meet each family's needs.
Society is hard on overweight people, even on people who are only mildly overweight.
The pediatrician also works to help alleviate some of the pressure felt by foster families caring for children with AIDS or who have been tested positive for HIV, by helping coordinate Home ImproVement Kids, which serves as a support network for these foster parents. It's asking a lot of a family to care for a baby who is sick with full-blown AIDS or to take on a child with AIDS antibodies who is perfectly well at the time. Our ultimate goal for Home ImproVement Kids is to begin with foster families, then expand to provide support for all families taking care of AIDS-infected children. Pediatric AIDS is on the rise, and foster families are needed to care for sick children as well as healthy children whose parents have AIDS, Hassink says. Currently, Home ImproVement Kids is trying to locate statewide resources for foster families, while surveying the pediatric AIDS population to match families in need with opportunities or services available.