Experts have been wringing their hands over the epidemic of childhood obesity in this country. Far too many youngsters are developing type-2 diabetes and other complications of being overweight, and nobody seems to know how to address the problem. Lots of kids these days would rather play video games than tag, so exercise is part of the equation. But what are we feeding our children?
Dr. Jamie Bailes has studied an Atkins-type approach to low-carb eating among his pediatric patients. He reports his findings, and we discuss the potential benefits and risks of the low-carb approach with Dr. Eric Westman, who has also done clinical studies of this diet.
Guests: James R. Bailes, M.D., is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at Marshall University School of Medicine. He has a special interest in type-1 diabetes and obesity. He is presently performing research using a high-protein, low carbohydrate diet for children. He is the author of No More Fat Kids: A Pediatrician’s Guide for Safe and Effective Weight Loss, with Misty Trent-Strow, M.D. www.nomorefatkids.com
Eric C. Westman, M.D., M.H.Sc., is Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine (Division of General Internal Medicine) and the Director of the Smoking Research Laboratory at Duke University Medical Center. He has conducted several studies on the Atkins diet and its effects.
