Your Child Is Not Their Weight: Parenting in a Size-Obsessed World [Paperback]

Author

Joey Skelton, MD, MS, FAAP

Joey Skelton, MD, MS, FAAP, is a professor of pediatrics, and of epidemiology and prevention, at Wake Forest University School of Medicine. He is the founder and director of Brenner FIT® (Families In Training), an interdisciplinary pediatric obesity treatment, prevention, research, and educational program. He is also the director of the Center for Prevention Science in Child and Family Health, vice chair of research for the department of pediatrics, and serves as editor in chief of the journal Childhood Obesity. He is board certified in pediatrics and obesity medicine. He is the father of two young adults and lives with his wife in North Carolina.

Author

Dara Garner-Edwards, MSW, LCSW

Dara Garner-Edwards, MSW, LCSW, is a founding team member, family counselor, and associate director of the Brenner FIT (Families in Training) program. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, completing her Master of Social Work there as well. Her early career was as a social worker for children with HIV and as a supervisor for social workers in pediatric and outpatient hospital settings. She has honed her skills for supporting families with weight concerns through the Brenner FIT program for the past 18 years, including training in motivational interviewing, mindfulness-based eat­ing awareness, and mindfulness-based stress reduction. Dara wants to spread the news that all families can get rid of dieting behaviors and eating-related guilt as they find ease with family mealtimes.

Having spent most of her life avoiding pets because of allergies, she is finally able to live with 2 spoiled gray tabbies that aren’t causing sneezing fits! Dara and her husband, Chris, have an expanding family of 2 adult children, their partners, and a son in high school, all of whom put a sparkle in Dara’s eyes. To add balance to her work and family time, Pilates is what helps Dara with her own wellness.

Author

Melissa Moses, MS, RD, LDN

Melissa Moses, MS, RD, LDN, is a dedicated registered dietitian with more than 14 years of experience helping families navigate nutrition and behavior change through the Brenner FIT (Families in Training) program. She has played a key role in shaping the program’s educational efforts and supporting families in clinical settings. As the manager of the Brenner FIT Teaching Kitchen, she leads community outreach and education for students, children, parents, and professionals. Melissa earned her bachelor’s degree from Appalachian State University. She completed her master’s degree and dietetic internship at North Carolina Central University.

When she’s not searching for quick and easy recipes for busy week­nights, Melissa enjoys honing her pottery skills under the guidance of a local artist. A married mother of two, she loves spending time outdoors and believes that the smell and taste of familiar foods can bring back the best memories. Above all, Melissa wants families to know that she’s a dietitian, not the food police—and favorite foods are always welcome at the table.