What is Shape Your Future (SYF)?
- A healthy lifestyle and nutrition program designed for children (2-18 years old) and their families.
- We offer online “lectures” (PowerPoint presentations about a variety of topics such as fat, behavior change, sugar and exercise) handouts, and recipes in the portal.
- South Shore Medical Center patients can make 1:1 appointments with a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner or Registered Dietician to discuss healthy changes for you and your family.
What are the goals of SYF?
- Promote and demonstrate better eating habits
- Encourage regular exercise
- Teach families how to maintain a healthy weight through nutrition and exercise
Who is on the SYF team?
The SYF team is made up of pediatricians, a pediatric nurse practitioner, exercise physiologists, and a registered dietitian.
How should I explain to my child about coming in for a visit?
- The focus of SYF is healthy lifestyle. You want to explain to your child that meeting with the SYF staff will help the whole family to start making some lifestyle changes so that everyone can be healthy. Go through the Kids’ portion of this website to help you explain why healthy lifestyle is so important.
- Start statements with “Our family needs to go in to see Molly/Nicole because…”
Who should be involved?
- The entire family! SYF is a program designed to help families learn healthy nutrition and exercise habits.
- Anyone that is involved in the care of your children; grandparents, extended families, babysitter/nannies, etc.
How do I sign my child up for SYF?
- Talk with your pediatrician at your child’s next visit
- Call the Wellness Department and book a 1:1 apppointment
- Send us an email through the Contact Us page on this website
How many times do we have to come in?
- Once involved in the program we encourage you to come in monthly until you are more confident in the changes your family needs to make.
What are the SYF online “lectures”?
- We have put online a variety of classes or lectures about topics that we think families struggle with on their journey to become healthy.
- These “classes” are great because you can look at them when it is convenient for you! You can also watch the presentations that your family feels they are struggling with.
What are the topics of the online presentations?
- Fat
- Sugar
- Goal Setting
- Reading Food Labels
- Exercise
- Sports Nutrition
- Protein and Fiber Combinations
- Healthy Meals & Snacks
- Dining Out
- Tips and Tricks for Healthy Grocery Shopping
