JoAnn Stevelos, MS, MPH has over 20 years of experience researching childhood obesity prevention programs. Her education includes a Master of Science (Bioethics) from Albany Medical College, a Master of Public Health from the State University of New York, and a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts from Columbia University. Stevelos has been the director of the NYS Center for Best Practices to Prevent Childhood Obesity, as well as Director of Research for the Clinton Foundation's Alliance for a Healthier Generation and Michelle Obama's Let's Move program.“Worthy: The Power of Kindness in Raising Body Positive Children” from author JoAnn Stevelos is a book that presents an innovative, ground-breaking program that will help families care for children who are gaining too much weight too fast. Children with rapid weight changes often face stereotypes, social exclusion, and discrimination. This book uses the best research and tools to help families build body-positive, loving homes filled with kindness and joy. “Full of invaluable information, it acts as a manual for teaching children to be healthy and happy in body, mind, and spirit from a place of compassion, kindness, and support. Worthy also provides parents an opportunity to become more self-aware of their own misconceptions and conditioned beliefs, thereby allowing for their own evolution and growth along the way. This book is a rare gem!” —Sheila Patel, MD Chief Medical Officer, Chopra Global, Board-certified Family Physician So many parents are searching for ways to teach their children how to love themselves from the inside-out, but it’s hard to know who to trust for advice. As a mom of two young daughters myself, I feel this pain in a real way— the fear that our kids might one day be teased or bullied about the way they look; the worry that they will internalize the media’s "be thin at all costs" message or learn from their friends that it's okay to weaponize the word "fat." Stevelos offers a fresh perspective to body positivity, with actionable strategies for keeping children feeling healthy, safe, loved, and, yes, worthy.–Leslie Goldman, MPHWomen’s health writer, body image speakerChildhood obesity and overweight are on the rise and the causes are complicated and misunderstood. JoAnn Stevelos outlines the many underlying causes of obesity and sets the record straight, throwing a life preserver to parents who may be drowning in misinformation.Often, parents feel judged by their child’s pediatrician, coach, or other parents, and resort to methods like putting kids on keto diets or restricting portions at meals. Instead, Worthy helps teach parents and caregivers how to support children with esteem-building actions and phrases of kindness, while learning how to address the fat-shaming practices in their child’s world – from overt bullying at school to being called “chubby” by grandparents to the subtle yet embarrassing practice of stepping on a scale in the pediatrician’s office. Self-reflection activities throughout the book teach parents and caregivers how to turn conversations around from fat-shaming to esteem-building in a non-judgmental way.–Anastasia Schepers, MS, RDN, CDN, CLCJoAnn Stevelos has crafted a wonderfully comprehensive look at the factors causing the spike in obesity in this country, particularly in our children. She has done so thoughtfully with an eye toward kindness in coping with this epidemic. Too often obesity triggers blame which in turn fuels the cycle of shame and a sense of hopelessness, neither of which are helpful in leading a full and healthy life. As she writes: "The spirit of this book is to prioritize your own and your children's happiness, safety, well being and to protect your hope for a better future together" and the words she's penned, the research she shares, does just that. Sadly, as she details, this generation of children will not enjoy a life expectancy greater than their parents due to many factors including obesity. Add into this mix the trauma triggered by the pandemic. Taken together it's clear that being gentle with each other, with ourselves must be the front line approach, the elixir we all need to find our way back to a healthy lifestyle, one that includes our physical, mental and spiritual needs. It helps us develop a sense of being worthy to enjoy all life has to offer, to be strong enough to weather what life brings us and to carve out a path that supports our well being. In the end it's not about the size of the waistline, but the breadth of our kindness. Stevelos shares this 'prescription' mixed with a healthy dose of delight. A must read for anyone raising a child (children) or nurturing their own, inner child. –Benita Zahn, DPS, MS, CHWCNavigating conversations about body image can be incredibly hard for any parent. Worthy teaches a powerful set of tools that will help you nurture a healthy relationship between your child and their body.–Evan Walden, CEO, Getro Inc. Every child is worthy of a body positive home, school, and medical environment. Using the power of kindness is the best way to create safe spaces for children of all sizes and shapes!–Akerei Maresala-Thomson, MBA | Founder Institute and CEO of MYRIVRThis book offers hope and great insights into the power of kindness in raising children to have a positive attitude towards their bodies, both now and in the future. We wish every parent had a copy of Worthy to read when we were growing up. Truly inspirational!–Elia Chan, MBA-- Founder-Managing Director of MYRIVR GROUP LTD-T/A MYRIVR TechnologiesOur team of experts has been delving into the relationship between mental health and its impact on school violence. Since the conclusion of the coronavirus pandemic, we've come across reports highlighting the adverse effects on students' lives. With a noticeable increase in violence within schools, we are actively exploring the most effective methods to ensure the safety of both students and staff.One crucial approach involves teaching children about their inherent worth from a young age and fostering a general respect for all life. Worthy guides children to embrace a healthy and joyful lifestyle in body, mind, and spirit, while cultivating a mindset of compassion and kindness.This represents the cultural shift and emphasis on mental health that we believe will make a positive impact on safety and security within schools and for today's youth as a whole.–Elisa Mula, Physical Security Strategist, Child Safety & Security AdvocateRead more about this authorRead less about this author