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Dr. Hes advises parents to remember that children require a healthy, balanced diet to nurture their growing bodies and minds and to consider the fact that most fad diets are called fad diets for a reason. She advises families instead to focus on healthy portion size, eating in moderation, and of course keeping active.
“In my house, we teach healthy habits rather than restricting them from certain foods,” Hes says. “Instead of labeling certain foods as good or bad, we focus on making sure our children feel their best. Forcing kids to feel shame when it comes to certain foods can lead to unhealthy eating habits and eating disorders down the road.”
Dyan Hes, M.D., is the medical director of Gramercy Pediatrics in New York City and sits on the board of the American Board of Obesity Medicine. She earned her medical degree at the American Program of the Sackler School of Medicine at the University of Tel Aviv and completed her residency in Social Pediatrics at New York’s Albert Einstein School of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center. She currently serves as clinical assistant professor of Pediatrics at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University. Prior to founding Gramercy Pediatrics, Dr. Hes maintained a large primary care practice for ten years within Park Slope Pediatrics in Brooklyn. In addition, she developed the Pediatric Weight Management Program at New York Methodist Hospital. In conjunction with the Park Slope YMCA, Dr. Hes created the Be Fit program for overweight children, which has served as a successful model of collaboration between hospitals and community centers.
