Pediatric Healthy Weight Research & Treatment Center – Medical Nutrition Therapy

To meet the needs of eastern North Carolina children, local dietitians developed a medical nutrition therapy (MNT) protocol for overweight and obese youth in 2004. The protocol, which has been periodically updated, provides guidance on topics to discuss with overweight children and their families during a series of nutrition visits as well as patient education materials for each session.

The protocol is evidence-based, incorporating latest recommendations from organizations such as the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the American Academy of Pediatrics. It is available to the general public and health professionals at no charge; however, if you choose to use information or the materials from the protocol, we ask that you cite it.

To download the most recent Medical Nutrition Therapy protocol, click on the appropriate links below. Contact Natalie Taft, MS, RD, LDN at taftn@ecu.edu with any questions.

Medical Nutrition Therapy Protocol (PDF)
Download entire document above or select a section below:

Assessment and Reference

  1. Pediatric Weight Management Medical Nutrition Therapy Protocol Goals (PDF)
  2. Pediatric Medical Nutrition Therapy Protocol for Weight Management (PDF)
  3. MNT Flowchart (PDF)
  4. Calorie Requirements (PDF)
  5. Lab Grid (PDF)
  6. Assessment, Prevention & Treatment Guide for Clinicians (PDF)
  7. BMI Chart for Boys (PDF)
  8. BMI Chart for Girls (PDF)
  9. Blood Pressure Table for Girls (PDF)
  10. Blood Pressure Table for Boys (PDF)
  11. Waist Circumference (PDF)
  12. Food Diary (PDF)
  13. BMI Information (PDF)
  14. Cholesterol Information (PDF)
  15. Blood Glucose Information (PDF)
  16. Blood Pressure Information (PDF)
  17. Nutrition Diagnosis/PES Statement (PDF)
  18. Eating Disorders (PDF)
  19. Medical Nutrition Therapy Service Components Initial Evaluation and Counseling (PDF)

Handouts

  1. Prescription for Health (5-3-2-1-Almost None) (PDF)
  2. Hunger Scale (PDF)
  3. MyFIT Pyramid (PDF)
  4. 10 Tips to Help Your Child and Teen Achieve a Healthy Weight (PDF)
  5. Stoplight Food Guide (PDF)
  6. El Semáforo de los Alimentos (Stoplight Food Guide in Spanish) (PDF)
  7. MyPyramid for Kids/Tips for Families (PDF)
  8. Phrases That Help and Hinder (PDF)
  9. Serving Sizes (PDF)
  10. The Plate Method (PDF) | Español (PDF)
  11. Preschool Daily Servings and Portion Sizes (PDF)
  12. Parents as Role Models (PDF)
  13. Rethink Your Drink (PDF)
  14. Rainbow of Fruits and Veggies (PDF)
  15. Breakfast (PDF)
  16. Eat Smart Lunches (PDF)
  17. Choose Wisely When Eating Out (PDF)
  18. Move More Activity Guide (PDF)
  19. My Activity Pyramid (PDF)
  20. Rainy Day Activities (PDF)
  21. Snack Ideas (PDF)
  22. Healthy Snacks (PDF)
  23. Calcium (PDF)
  24. Let’s Try New Foods! (PDF)
  25. Ideas for Helping Your Child Try New Foods (PDF)
  26. Recipes (PDF)
  27. Tasty Cooking for a Healthy Family (PDF)
  28. Eating Healthy on a Budget (PDF)
  29. How to Read a Nutrition Facts Label With Focus on Achieving a Healthy Weight (PDF)
  30. Eating for Heart Health (Kid Friendly) (PDF)
  31. Omega 3 Fatty Acids and Flaxseed (PDF)
  32. DASH Diet for Kids (PDF)
  33. Ways to Lower Your Blood Cholesterol (PDF)
  34. Fiber (PDF)
  35. Healthy Guidelines for Weight Management (PDF)
  36. Food Diary (PDF)
  37. Hunger Scale (PDF)
  38. MyFIT Pyramid (PDF)