Children at the Table

Adverse Childhood Experiences

Should Pediatricians Use BMI to Measure Children’s Weight?

JoAnn Stevelos, MS, MPH on March 21, 2024

Knowing a child's BMI does not help parents assess how best to help them. Kids' body fat percentages change as they grow, and their BMIs vary based on age and gender.

Knowing a child's BMI does not help parents assess how best to help them. Kids' body fat percentages change as they grow, and their BMIs vary based on age and gender.

Child Development

How to Approach Weight-Loss Drugs for Children

JoAnn Stevelos, MS, MPH on February 7, 2024

Weight loss drugs are not for children who want to lose weight for the sake of losing weight. 

Weight loss drugs are not for children who want to lose weight for the sake of losing weight. 

Parenting

Lead Your Child With Love and Kindness

JoAnn Stevelos, MS, MPH on January 17, 2024

Experiments have repeatedly demonstrated that kindness toward others causes us to be happier, improves our health, and lengthens our lives.

Experiments have repeatedly demonstrated that kindness toward others causes us to be happier, improves our health, and lengthens our lives.

Relationships

How Do We Show Our Children Empathy, Compassion, and Kindness?

JoAnn Stevelos, MS, MPH on January 11, 2024

How do we embody empathy, compassion, and kindness?

How do we embody empathy, compassion, and kindness?

Bullying

Bullying Within the Home Hurts Children With Obesity

JoAnn Stevelos, MS, MPH on January 3, 2024

Fat shaming is terrible for your health and does not motivate people to lose weight. It will not encourage your child to lose weight.

Fat shaming is terrible for your health and does not motivate people to lose weight. It will not encourage your child to lose weight.

Body Image

Caring for Children When They Experience Body-Shaming

JoAnn Stevelos, MS, MPH on December 18, 2023

Special care is needed to comfort and stop the hurting when you or your child is in emotional, spiritual, or physical pain.

Special care is needed to comfort and stop the hurting when you or your child is in emotional, spiritual, or physical pain.

Bias

Weight Bias Hurts Us All

JoAnn Stevelos, MS, MPH on November 26, 2023

Have you ever thought you were less of a good parent because of how much your child weighed? Don't judge yourself; judge the culture of thinness.

Have you ever thought you were less of a good parent because of how much your child weighed? Don't judge yourself; judge the culture of thinness.

Suicide

Addiction, Suicide, and the Power of Music

JoAnn Stevelos, MS, MPH on November 9, 2021

Can music help prevent death by suicide, as well as heal mental illness and addictions?

Can music help prevent death by suicide, as well as heal mental illness and addictions?

Loneliness

What Can You Do When Your Child's Feelings Are Hurt?

JoAnn Stevelos, MS, MPH on December 28, 2020

Think about a time your child's feelings were hurt—what did you do? A simple question can help them.

Think about a time your child's feelings were hurt—what did you do? A simple question can help them.

Ketogenic Diet

Keto Diets and Children: Impact of Keto Diets on the Mind

JoAnn Stevelos, MS, MPH on September 27, 2020

Are keto diets safe for children?

Are keto diets safe for children?

Trauma

Loving an Orchid: Understanding Child Abuse Trauma’s Impact

JoAnn Stevelos, MS, MPH on August 21, 2020

Were you an orchid or a dandelion? Recent research explains our resiliency.

Were you an orchid or a dandelion? Recent research explains our resiliency.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

Helping Child Abuse Victims During COVID-19

JoAnn Stevelos, MS, MPH on May 23, 2020

Are you struggling to report suspected child abuse?

Are you struggling to report suspected child abuse?

Comfort food should only be for special occasions.

Suicide

Our Children Are Losing Hope

JoAnn Stevelos, MS, MPH on July 8, 2019

New research shows more children attempting suicide.

New research shows more children attempting suicide.

Diet

What to Do if No One Is Helping Your Child with Obesity

JoAnn Stevelos, MS, MPH on May 28, 2019

4 reasons why parents need to become their family's own obesity expert.

4 reasons why parents need to become their family's own obesity expert.

Diet

Why are toddlers gaining too much weight too fast?

JoAnn Stevelos, MS, MPH on January 25, 2019

Are you worried about your toddler gaining too much weight too fast?

Are you worried about your toddler gaining too much weight too fast?

Sexual Abuse

Talking with Girls About Sexual Abuse and Weight.

JoAnn Stevelos, MS, MPH on October 27, 2018

What you can do to help girls with obesity who have been sexually abused?

What you can do to help girls with obesity who have been sexually abused?

Sexual Abuse

A Loaded Gun: Why Is It Hard to Discuss Clergy Abuse?

JoAnn Stevelos, MS, MPH on August 25, 2018

Why is it still difficult to talk about child sexual abuse?

Why is it still difficult to talk about child sexual abuse?

Sexual Abuse

When a Child Tells?

JoAnn Stevelos, MS, MPH on June 4, 2018

I suspect a child is being sexually abused. What do I do now?

I suspect a child is being sexually abused. What do I do now?

Sexual Abuse

What If Junot Diaz Kept His Mask On?

JoAnn Stevelos, MS, MPH on May 6, 2018

What If Junot Diaz kept his mask on? Didn't tell. Stayed in the silence.

What If Junot Diaz kept his mask on? Didn't tell. Stayed in the silence.