Child overweight: Helping without harming

Feeding dynamics and eating competence based prevention and intervention

Description

The Satter Feeding Dynamics Model (fdSatter) and the Satter Eating Competence Model (ecSatter) teaches that each child has a powerful and resilient ability to eat the right amount of food in order to grow in accordance with his or her genetic endowment. However, each child needs appropriate support in order to manifest that genetic endowment.

Based on that principle, rather than avoiding overweight, fdSatter and ecSatter emphasize supporting each child’s normal growth. Thus, child overweight can be prevented from birth with appropriate feeding. Growth acceleration can be treated by examining and correcting feeding distortions and letting the child’s own capability with energy and growth regulation resolve the problem.

Child overweight can be prevented from birth with optimum, stage-related feeding based on Satter’s division of responsibility with feeding. Child weight acceleration can be neutralized by correcting feeding problems and restoring optimum feeding. Optimum feeding raises children to be competent eaters: To enjoy eating, to have positive food acceptance and food regulation skills, and to participate happily in family meals.

This workshop addresses joining with parents where they are and establishing relationships that support the process of change. Stage-related videos and case examples will be examined to illustrate how feeding dynamics impacts food regulation and growth as well as give practical grounding for primary and secondary assessment and intervention.

Audience

This two-part webinar, first presented in January 2012, is for clinical professionals and allied professionals in medicine, nutrition, public health and other fields who have done guided study of the models and are thoroughly familiar with Ellyn Satter’s Your Child’s Weight: Helping Without Harming.

Objectives

• Describe how the basic principles of fdSatter and ecSatter apply to the prevention and treatment of child overweight and obesity.
• Assess and understand the history of the individual child’s weight issues.
• Identify key parent-centered approaches for establishing structure and extinguishing pressure and restraint.
• Consider how to join with parents where they are and establish relationships that support the process of change.

Part One

Objectives

• Understand the evidence-based principles of the Satter Eating Competence Model 
• Consider how feeding in accordance with the Satter Feeding Dynamics Model (fdSatter) raises children to be competent eaters.

Part Two

Objectives

• Understand the connection between eating competence and child obesity prevention.  
• Learn how to incorporate positive, practical obesity prevention strategies into routine education and practice. 

Handouts and Reading

• Slide handouts part one (PDF) 
• Slide handouts part two (PDF)
• The Satter Feeding Dynamics Model of Child Overweight: Definition, Prevention, and Intervention (PDF)
• Eating Competence (link)
• Child Development Ages and Stages (link)
• Developmental Principles Guiding Feeding Practices (PDF)
• Division of Responsibility in Feeding (link)
• Mastering Family Meals Step by Step (link)
• Your Child’s Weight Helping Without Harming (PDF)