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Ashley's Story

Program: Childhood Obesity: Winning the Battle Against the Epidemic
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Andrew Schorr:

So, Ashley, you are 15 years old, and you started eating junk food like most kids?

Ashley Mellow:

Yeah, it was just always around the house, and it was easy to eat after school because you didn’t have to prepare anything.

Andrew Schorr:

Yes, you want that afternoon snack, I know my son Eitan looks forward to a snack. What happened to your weight? You started gaining weight, and I know you’re 5 feet 1 inches tall now. How high did your weight get?

Ashley Mellow:

I think 147 pounds was the highest I got.

Andrew Schorr:

How did you feel about yourself then?

Ashley Mellow:

I was kind of disgusted that I let myself get that big.

Andrew Schorr:

Do you do any exercise; are you on any teams; or what about physical activity?

Ashley Mellow:

I do play soccer, but when soccer season is over, before I usually didn’t exercise, but now I am.

Andrew Schorr:

Let’s talk about what you are doing now. With the help of your doctor you’re now in a special program, right? The program is designed to try to help you in lots of ways to get control of your weight. You’ve lost some weight. What’s your weight down to now?

Ashley Mellow:

I’m down to 135 pounds.

Andrew Schorr:

What about the junk food after school, what do you have when you get hungry?

Ashley Mellow:

I usually have some fruit or maybe some pretzels, like something healthy.

Andrew Schorr:

Are you doing some exercise now, even when it’s not soccer season?

Ashley:

Yes, I run on the treadmill and do my weight routine after school.

Andrew Schorr:

Good for you. How often do you participate in this program? I know you get together with other kids. Do you get to talk about how you’re feeling and what you are doing too?

Ashley Mellow:

Yes. Our sessions are over but we met 16 times in the past four months.

Andrew Schorr:

I bet that was very helpful.

Ashley Mellow:

Yes, it helped a lot.

Andrew Schorr:

What’s your plan for the future? You’re going to grow old like your dad and me someday, so how are you going to keep your weight down and stay healthier?

Ashley Mellow:

I’m just going to keep making healthy choices about what I eat and keep exercising.

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