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grades imp he will say, "They will outgrow it," said Suskind. Dr. William Dietz, a pediatrician and obesity specialist at the Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston, agreed. ""It's a recognized problem that is not being attended to as it should be," he said. A key feature of Suskind's program is a very restricted diet of 600 to 800 calories per day for up to 30 weeks, followed by a 1200-calorie diet for the rest of the yearlong program. Another key feature is a graduated exercise program, carefully designed not to overwhelm children with too miifVt nrtivitvtrtn flnrm a a l r} \zfolinrJa CS Social life, Experts say staying fit helps keep a good attitude and a better social life. TORONTO (AP) ? A strict diet combined with exercise and behavior changes slashed the pounds from overweight children and teens, improving their social lives, grades and self-esteem, researchers reported Wednesday. The weight-loss program also lowered the children's cholesterol levels and reduced the likelihood they would suffer from complications of obesity as adults, the researchers said. The program addresses one of the most important and most widely overlooked health problems in children, said Dr. Robert Suskind, a pediatrician at Louisiana State University and co-director of the Weight Reduction Clinic at the Children's Hospital of New Orleans. Surveys show that at least onefourth of U.S. children are 20 percent or more above their ideal weights, Suskind said. And 70 percent of children who are overweight at ages 10-13 will go on to become overweight adults, he said. Even so, many pediatricians ignore the problem, Suskind said. "Children will go the pediatrician and IRS STEAK I All you need t vnn'rp hnnorv Rr ?*b' J* 1707 Charles 796-: Two other Colui 534 St. Andrews Rd. 772-1251 Open: Sun. - Thurs. Friday - Saturday Need a job? Ryan's is Nc flexible hours. Call betwee EfRRfRVn nlK K Sothern, an exercise physiologist and the director of the clinic's childhood weight-loss program. "People give too much exercise too soon and they give the wrong kind of exercise," she said. "When you tell an overweight person to do something that hurts them, they won't doit." The program also includes encouraging many behavior changes, such as eating more slowly and not eating between meals, Sothern said. Education and parental support are also crucial in helping children lose weight, she said. ifl'el I AMILY HOUSE o know when ing your appetite. fori T-Tiohwav ?>" " "J * >728 mbia locations: 9001 Two Notch Rd. 736-4462 10:45am - 10:00pm 10:45am - 11:00pm >w Hiring. Ask us about n 2:00pm & 4:00pm daily. trove with p In a report at the Seventh International Congress on Obesity, Suskind described the results with 48 children ages 7-17. In 10 weeks, their weight dropped from an average of 175 pounds to 154 pounds. At the end of the year-long program, their weight was an average of 159 pounds, showing that they were able to keep the weight off, he said. Some of the mildlv obese attained ideal body weights, and virtually all of the moderately and severely obese patients showed dramatic drops in weight gain if they stuck with the program, Suskind reported. The children's cholesterol levels fell from 187 to 167 in 10 weeks, he said. Dietz and others raised questions about the safety of the restricted diet. "I don't think we know enough about the safety of that diet before we put it into widespread use. I use it, 1 i. T i?. r i*i j *ji ouu reserve 11 ior cnnaren wun severe obesity," Dietz said Suskind said that the children on the diet had growth rates slightly below normal, but he said he believes the diet is safe when used with a doctor's supervision. Sothern emphasized that parents should not put their children on such a Holder is Entitled To... ONE FREE Sbroniihiild Sbhlefei I I liBMB DH mRSf! roper dietr diet without a doctor's oversight, because the diet requires careful supplementation with minerals and vitamins. After one year, the children are seen every three months to help them maintain fha waiaVit lnss said Snthern T. Kristian von Almen, a psychologist who works with Suskind, found that overweight kids were low in selfesteem, as measured by standard psychological tests. But when they lost weight, their self-esteem soared to above normal. The same was true of their academic performance. Feelings of depression also fell, von Almen found. And the children said they thought their parents felt better about them. "Kids who are obese do have a negative self-image," he said. "When they lose the weight, that changes. They fell better about themselves. Their parents say they're different kids." The program costs $1,000 for one year's treatment, Suskind said. Parents, aunts, uncles and other relatives are encouraged to participate along with their children. | Some insurance companies cover f a portion of the expenses, Sothern said. _ i WORKOUT ie Club with Coupon Test dri O /?0 Kflfl a uaicui ragf? m ml HV.'l I kvI^H k/iIH 1^19 ? irS ; Tl ml ^ 7i J. '* w ^ ' i Kin Traett The Gamecock MOVIN' DAY slew residents register for apartments at the University Commons. ^ ^KIUrv? Campus Subscriptions to the New York Times are available this term at a substantial savings off the newsstand price. QnlV 400 For more information... per day call Jim at 736-5822 (MOIl-Fri) ve r If you're an achiever, you I can get on a fast track with I Northwestern Mutual Life. HOur Internship Program lets you test drive a sales career in insurance and financial services while you're still in school! As an intern, your intelligence and productivity can literally pay off in a big way Our leading interns are H making five-figure incomes. 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