01. How is this program different from other available programs?

02. Will this improve my child's health?

03. Is it safe for a child to be on a "diet"?

04. Does my child have to count calories or fat?

05. Is this a low carbohydrate plan?

06. Is this an extreme diet or a severely low calorie diet?

07. Will my child have to eat special diet foods?

08. How often can my child eat on the program?

09. Can my child ever eat fast food on this plan?

10. Can my child eat at restaurants while on the program?

11. Can my child eat a piece of cake at a birthday party?

12. Do you have a maintenance program?

13. How is fitness incorporated?

14. What if I have questions between visits?

15. Are there any group meetings?

16. What is the average rate of weight loss?

17. Do you prescribe any medicines, vitamins, or supplements?

01. HOW IS THIS PROGRAM DIFFERENT FROM OTHER AVAILABLE PROGRAMS?
    Dr. Dolgoff's Lighter Weigh is an easy-to-follow, personalized weight management program.  Each patient's plan is unique, based on his/her resting metabolic rate, activity level, age, gender, and starting weight.  Dr. Dolgoff, a board-certified pediatrician, personally works with each patient to help them reach their goal weight.  Few other programs are run solely by pediatricians and tailored to each patient. Top

02. WILL THIS IMPROVE MY CHILD'S HEALTH?
    Absolutely!  Overweight has been linked to many adverse health effects, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke, and asthma.  Studies have shown that overweight children and adolescents have much shorter life spans than normal-weight children and adolescents.  Other studies have revealed atherosclerotic heart changes in children as young as 5 years old.  It is imperative to institute positive changes in your overweight child's lifestyle as soon as possible, to prevent these health risks.  Dr. Dolgoff's Lighter Weigh will allow your child or teen to lose or maintain his/her weight in a healthy, positive way. Top

03. IS IT SAFE FOR MY CHILD TO BE ON A "DIET"?
    Absolutely... providing your child is closely monitored by a pediatrician to ensure a safe rate of weight loss.  Dr. Dolgoff's Lighter Weigh was developed by Joanna Dolgoff, MD, board-certified pediatrician.  Each plan is formulated specifically for each child, taking into account all of his/her nutrition and caloric needs.  None of Dr. Dolgoff's programs is an extreme low calorie or low carbohydrate plan.  By using each child's resting metabolic rate (as determined by indirect calorimetry), Dr. Dolgoff is able to maximize the number of calories your child can eat and still lose weight.  Every child is closely monitored by Dr. Dolgoff.  The maximum acceptable, safe rate of weight loss in children is 1-2 pounds per week.  If a child's weight loss is occurring too rapidly, the plan will be adjusted. Top

04. DOES MY CHILD HAVE TO COUNT CALORIES OR FAT?
    No.  Your child will receive a list of foods categorized into green light, yellow light, and red light.  Each meal and snack will consist of a certain number of yellow and green light foods.  Your child may eat two red light foods each week.  Certain foods are "free", such as fruits, vegetables, and fat-free dairy products.  There is no calorie counting required in this plan. Top

05. IS THIS A LOW CARBOHYDRATE PLAN?
    No.  Children need carbohydrates to grow and mature.  Further, most of the foods that children enjoy contain carbohydrates.  Dr. Dolgoff's Lighter Weigh is not a restrictive weight management plan.  Children can eat all of the foods that they like, as long as they practice portion control.  It is not safe for children to eliminate an entire food group from their diet.  This program is designed to allow for a safe rate of weight loss without deprivation of any kind. Top

06. IS THIS AN EXTREME DIET OR A SEVERELY LOW CALORIE DIET?
    Neither.  Dr. Dolgoff's Lighter Weigh is not an extreme low calorie.  By using each child's resting metabolic rate (as determined by indirect calorimetry), Dr. Dolgoff is able to maximize the number of calories your child can eat and still lose weight.  Every child is closely monitored by Dr. Dolgoff.  The maximum acceptable, safe rate of weight loss in children is 1-2 pounds per week.  If a child's weight loss is occurring too rapidly, the plan will be adjusted. Top

07. WILL MY CHILD HAVE TO EAT SPECIAL DIET FOODS?
    No.  No child will stick with a weight management program that doesn't allow them to eat the same types of food as their friends.  All foods have been categorized as either green light, yellow light, or red light.  Each meal and snack consists of a certain number of green and yellow light foods.  Each child is allowed two red light foods a week. Your child can go to a party and have a slice of pizza and a slice of cake.  There is no deprivation with this program. Top

08. HOW OFTEN CAN MY CHILD EAT ON THE PROGRAM?
    Each day consists of three meals and two snacks. Top

09. CAN MY CHILD EVER EAT FAST FOOD ON THIS PLAN?
    While fast food is certainly not encouraged, it can be incorporated into the program.  Chicken tenders and small hamburgers at Burger King, for example, are yellow light foods.  Other foods on the menu can be eaten as red light foods.  There is absolutely no food off limits on this plan. Top

10. CAN MY CHILD EAT AT RESTAURANTS WHILE ON THE PROGRAM?
    Yes.  All restaurant foods have been categorized as either green light, yellow light, or red light.  Each meal and snack consists of a certain number of green and yellow light foods.  Each child is also allowed two red light foods a week.  Your child can enjoy restaurant food on this program. Top

11. CAN MY CHILD EAT A PIECE OF CAKE AT A BIRTHDAY PARTY?
    Yes.  Cake has been categorized as either a red or yellow light food, depending on the child's age and the type of cake. Top

12. DO YOU HAVE A MAINTENANCE PROGRAM?
    Yes.  Once your child is at their goal weight, the program will be modified.  Resting metabolic rate will be measured again and your child's program will be developed with an increased calorie count to allow for weight maintenance. Top

13. HOW IS FITNESS INCORPORATED?
    At the third visit, a fitness plan will be designed for your child, taking into account specific interests, skills, and needs.  A personal trainer who specializes in child and adolescent fitness will be available to come to your house and train your child, if desired.  Dr. Dolgoff will also give suggestions on how to increase your child's daily activity level. Top

14. WHAT IF I HAVE QUESTIONS BETWEEN VISITS?
    Dr. Dolgoff is available by phone or e-mail.  By all means, contact her. Top

15. ARE THERE ANY GROUP MEETINGS?
    All visits are one-on-one and strictly confidential. Top

16. WHAT IS THE AVERAGE RATE OF WEIGHT LOSS?
    The rate of weight loss is variable between patients.  It is based on many factors, including starting body weight, close adherence to the program, fitness and activity level, and gender.  1-2 pounds per week is the maximum acceptable rate of weight loss. Top

17. DO YOU PRESCRIBE ANY MEDICINES, VITAMINS, OR SUPPLEMENTS?
    No.  Dr. Dolgoff does not recommend any weight loss medications or supplements.  Each child may take an over-the-counter multivitamin daily. Top