Archive for nutrition
Partnering diet and intestinal microbes to protect against GI disease
Despite being an everyday necessity, nutrition is something of a black box. We know that many plant-based foods are good for us, but we don’t always know why. Our intestinal microbiome, which helps break down these foods once we consume them, is another black box. What role do our gut bacteria play? Seth Rakoff-Nahoum, MD, ... Read More about Partnering diet and intestinal microbes to protect against GI disease
Are weight-loss medications and surgery right for teens?
Advances in bariatric surgery and weight-loss medications have made weight management accessible to more adults. But are these approaches effective — and safe — for teens, too? Weight-management medications, particularly glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs), are the newest tool available to people over age 12 for the treatment of obesity and related conditions. At ... Read More about Are weight-loss medications and surgery right for teens?
Addressing food insecurity and nutrition challenges in pediatric type 1 diabetes care
Managing type 1 diabetes can be overwhelming for children and families. As children learn to live with the disease, many cut back on visits to their nutritionists. Others face barriers like food insecurity that make it difficult to maintain a balanced diet. And without the proper professional support and access to healthy foods, children’s overall ... Read More about Addressing food insecurity and nutrition challenges in pediatric type 1 diabetes care
How to make school lunch less scary for “picky eaters”
Lunch boxes with fun designs, giggling friends, lunch trays clattering in the meal line, and sticky hands galore — school lunch time is back. But how do you prepare for it when your child is showing signs of being a “picky eater” — that is, selective about the foods they’re willing to eat and hesitant ... Read More about How to make school lunch less scary for “picky eaters”
How Boston Children’s physicians have teamed up to tackle obesity and food insecurity
When nutritious, high-quality food is not easily accessible, families are often left to purchase what is available — usually, highly processed, nutrient-poor food. Children in these households — who also have food insecurity and various socio-economic stressors — face additional barriers and are at risk for developing chronic diseases, such as obesity. To address such ... Read More about How Boston Children’s physicians have teamed up to tackle obesity and food insecurity
Calm through the storm: Connor’s ulcerative colitis journey
When you meet Connor today, he’s a confident 13-year-old who is incredibly laid back when he speaks about his complex medical condition. This school year, he plans on playing basketball and running track. “I like hanging out with my friends and traveling — now I can do all these things without being in pain.” However, ... Read More about Calm through the storm: Connor’s ulcerative colitis journey
September 2023 coloring pages
Get your family excited about healthy food with this month’s coloring pages, brought to you by Boston Children’s. ColoringSheet_RabbitGardenDownload ColoringSheet_GuineapigFruitVegDownload Images: Adobe Stock/Illustration: Patrick Bibbins Get more coloring pages, news, and tips for your family from our weekly newsletter. Sign up now! Share this:
Family first: Nolan and Uncle Jon’s living donor kidney transplant
Nolan and his uncle Jon are both tall and blonde, but they now have something more in common: The two have an unbreakable bond, thanks to a selfless —and lucky — gift that changed Nolan’s life forever. The first year after Nolan was born, his primary care physician ran some blood work to try to ... Read More about Family first: Nolan and Uncle Jon’s living donor kidney transplant
Weight loss: When scientific paradigms collide
David S. Ludwig, MD, PhD, co-directs the New Balance Foundation Obesity Prevention Center at Boston Children’s Hospital. Because conventional thinking usually rests on years (sometimes centuries) of research, scientists are naturally skeptical of radical new ideas. But occasionally, problems with normal science arise, such as a persistent failure to solve important puzzles and anomalies that can’t be ... Read More about Weight loss: When scientific paradigms collide
Addressing food insecurity: How Boston Children’s makes food accessible for patients
Food insecurity is more common than you might think, affecting an estimated 21.1% of Massachusetts households with children in 2023. To add to the stress, families of children with dietary restrictions who face food insecurity are frequently left with limited options to find proper nutrition. One of the biggest hurdles when it comes to addressing ... Read More about Addressing food insecurity: How Boston Children’s makes food accessible for patients