Navigating through the fast food nation is challenging. Television is chock full of ads, mostly for unhealthy “foods” or fad diet products. A program has been developed to help those targeted by ads (kids and teens) to learn to be food literate.

Kids on the Run is a program designed by Wendy Crump, RD that teaches children and teenagers proper nutrition and how to incorporate exercise into their lives. While weight management is part of the program, Crump makes the focus on learning to live healthily.

This unique eight week program was designed to give kids a supportive environment to aid in their success. It’s a family-based program, requiring the commitment of anyone who provides significant care for the child. Crump works with lots of blended families, and she stresses how important it is for everyone in the child’s life to be involved.

It’s important to Crump to involve all members of the family in the program. She notes that bad eating habits affect people differently, and while one sibling may be at a healthy weight now, it can catch up to them later in life. She teaches children to change their lifestyle, and refuses to use the word diet. This is not a diet program.

“First and foremost, if you have one child in your home that is overweight, that you make the changes for the entire family,” said Crump. “Nobody needs to be eating chips or cookies.” She stresses that it’s important not to isolate any one person in the family because they may be struggling with their weight.

She has a staff of trainers that work with the kids in different ways. They work together twice a week for an hour, and are asked to commit another hour during the week on their own for exercise. The kids get a chance to develop interests that get them active, like playing sports, or walking their dog, whatever they enjoy doing. The trainers act as another positive support for the child.

“Positive is the key,” Wendy Crump, RD said. “It’s important to develop a positive relationship with the child.”

Crump worked with one teenage girl whose parents were divorced and each remarried. The girl had plans to spend one month of her summer with her dad and step-mom in Arizona. From the very beginning, they were included in her progress, learning what foods were better to have on hand, and played an active role in her program. When she went to Arizona, Crump was available via email for support and questions, and they developed a plan to keep her exercising while she was away.

The initial consultation will usually last an hour and sometimes ends in tears. Tackling the emotional part of overeating, as well as the family dynamic that could be unconsciously sabotaging the child’s efforts.

“During the initial confrontation, I sit down with the parents and the child and we go over portion sizes with my food models,” Crump says, pointing to a shelf full of plastic food stacked on plastic plates. “We go over their food choices, their exercise habits and any medical conditions they may be experiencing.”

She works one on one with the child to develop their goals. The parents are then brought in to talk through the plan they set up together to achieve the child’s goals. This gives ownership to the child, which gives them the motivation to see it through. She teaches the parents how to support their child, aiding in their success.

“Parents want to help them, but don’t know how,” Crump said. “They think becoming the ‘food police’ is the answer, but it just creates a lot of conflict between the child and the parent. The program removes the parent from the ‘food police’ role and allows the parent to be a support system.”

“Many times, kids continue after the eight weeks. That’s not true for everyone,” said Crump. “We have to look at what we’re accomplishing and what goals we’re trying to reach, but the eight weeks is certainly a good start and they’re on the right track. They’re learning how to read labels, how to pre-plan for special events – how to make healthy choices.”

Crump has plans to grow Kids on the Run this year, to include a cooking component. It’s important to foster a love of fresh and healthy food, and teaching the families to cook together really reinforces that point. This will be an important component of this comprehensive program that will help with the long-term benefits.

“The whole idea is really to incorporate healthy habits,” said Crump.

Kids on the Run, (626) 403-6000, www.kids-on-the-run.com.