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Dr. Dolan is fighting fat one pedometer at a time
By Anita L. Sherman
Culpeper Times Staff Writer
Fighting the flu is a seasonal challenge and made more acute this year with the H1N1 virus. "We're seeing more and more cases," said pediatrician Dr. Gail Dolan who noted that her practice is treating the flu the same whether or not it has been specifically identified as H1N1.
While Dolan has her hands full with flu cases, she is happy to be launching a new program focused on fighting an even more prevalent foe of childhood health ? fat.
Childhood obesity is on the rise nationwide, and Virginia is no exception. Being overweight as a child sets the stage for future possible health risks, including high blood pressure, high levels of bad cholesterol, heart disease, stroke and diabetes.
Dolan, who works with Culpeper Pediatric Services on Sunset Lane in Culpeper, says that many of her young patients are overweight.
"There's more time spent sitting in front of a computer or being on the couch watching television than outside playing," said Dolan who also noted that poor eating habits and choice of foods contributes to the problem. While not physically healthy, overweight children offer suffer with anxiety, depression and low self esteem, as well as being the butt of cruel jokes at the hands of schoolmates.
As part of a focus on improving fitness, Dolan now offers patients and their families a targeted approach. Called Steps for Healthier Living, it is made possible through a grant from the Culpeper Regional Educational Foundation.
The packet comes with its own pedometer. Whether the child is already active or plays a sport or is a new walker, a handy log will keep track of every step taken. Ultimately, Dolan would like to see her young clients walking at least 30 minutes a day, five days a week, taking 10,000 steps a day. "It's really not hard to do," said Dolan who suggests as a tip trading out screen time for a view while walking.
Literature in the packet reinforces one of Dolan's messages that fighting fat doesn't mean eliminating it altogether from your diet. Information is provided to help parents know which fats to avoid, those to moderate and those that are good for you.
"It's important to eat a diet low in bad fats," said Dolan emphasizing that deep-fried foods should be avoided, butter, whole milk and red meat should be moderated and good oils can be found in nuts and avocados.
Eating healthy and staying fit are not always easy, but Dolan hopes that with the help of the Steps for Healthier Living program, her young patients will look forward to bringing her good results from their Step Log when they come for followup appointments.
"You can't get too much fiber," said Dolan who advocates regular amounts in the diet. Citing numerous health benefits, Dolan pointed out that eating fiber helps decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity. Fiber also helps eliminate cholesterol and bad fats from your body.
"One way to treat high cholesterol in children is to prescribe a drug like Lipitor," said Dolan adding, "but we really don't know the long-term effects of a child taking Lipitor year after year.
"I'd rather give families the tools to help them learn about healthy eating and fitness and get them on a good track early in life," she said.
With clients reporting every 30 days, Dolan can track their progress and make changes as necessary. "It's important to get them on a steady course," she said.
One handout in the packet shows an adult-sized hand. Using that as a guide, it's fairly easy to figure out measuring food without a set of measuring cups nearby. For example, a closed fist equals a cup or a piece of fruit. Your thumb is about two servings of peanut butter or two tablespoons. An open palm equates to a serving of meat or chicken.
Optimistic that Steps for Healthier Living is going to be a winner in the battle of the bulge among her young clientele, Dolan is grateful to have received the grant. Donors to the Culpeper Regional Educational Foundation can specify that money be put in an undesignated fund for areas of greatest need. A three-member panel consisting of Dr. Morton Chiles, Janice Suter, vice-president of nursing and Mary Jane Glass, a foundation board member, awarded Dolan the grant from more than a dozen applications.
Aimed at youngsters 10 and over, the program has been in place since September and several are already enrolled at no cost to the patient. "Society works against us," said Dolan. "So much is automated...we just need to get more active. Walking is free."
"We need to look at root causes and work collaboratively with parents," Dolan said. "How can we improve healthy habits? The time to take those first steps is now...when they are young."
For more information on the work of the Culpeper Regional Hospital Foundation, contact Executive Director Cindy Colson at (540) 829-8812 or ccolson@culpeperhospital.com
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