How can pediatricians move away from “diet culture” and encourage children and teenagers to have healthy relationships with food, exercise and their bodies? Two experts from the Eating Disorder Assessment and Treatment Program at Children’s Hospital, Eleanor Benner, PsyD, MA, psychologist, and Kerri Heckert, MS, RD, LDN, clinical dietician, discuss: suggestions for how pediatricians can talk about weight, nutrition and exercise without causing harm; socioeconomic factors that affect eating and activity; tips to offer parents, such as avoiding “fat talk”; encouraging kids to eat intuitively; limits to the usefulness of BMI; acknowledging weight bias in healthcare provider decision-making; explaining “body positivity” and “body neutrality”; red flags and what to do if there is suspicion for an eating disorder; and more.

This podcast is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not to be considered as medical advice for any particular patient. Clinicians must rely on their own informed clinical judgment in making recommendations to their patients. ©2023 by Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, all rights reserved.