Ramadan is the perfect time for a spiritual reset. During this sacred month, we deepen our connection with Allah through fasting, extra acts of worship, and engaging with the Quran and our community. Beyond its spiritual benefits, fasting also offers advantages for physical health. It is no wonder many families use this time to adopt healthier eating habits and make positive lifestyle changes. As a parent, you likely want to instill these good habits in your children, but that can be challenging—especially in today’s world. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 1 in 5 children and adolescents in the U.S. are classified as obese¹. This statistic is concerning, as childhood obesity significantly increases the risk of serious health conditions such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.
The good news is that resources are available to help parents support their children in achieving a healthy weight, and Ramadan presents a valuable opportunity to kickstart these efforts. To learn more about childhood weight management, we spoke with pediatric endocrinologist Dr. Ladan Davallow, who shared insightful advice, inspiration, and practical tips for parents. Here’s what she had to say:
1. Please introduce yourself to our Sound Vision readers, tell us how long you have been practicing, and how you got into weight management.
I’m Dr. Ladan Davallow, MD, a pediatric endocrinologist and co-founder of EndoMD Health. I also coach parents of kids with diabetes (Diabright Diabetes Coaching).
I’ve been practicing pediatric endocrinology for almost a decade in academic settings. I’m a medical school faculty member and have published endocrine research.
I’m also a Muslima mom of 3 kids. Like many professional Muslim moms in America, I’m trying to teach my kids to stay true to their faith while making smart choices for their health and daily life.
As a doctor, I saw so many kids struggling with weight while the medical system just didn’t have the time to go in depth into the root cause of why these kids could not get to a healthy weight.
Parents were being told to get their kids to "Eat less, move more."
Kids were given calorie goals and restrictive diets, but they were still struggling.
I knew something had to change. These kids end up being adults who I see in our community who can’t pray/make sujood due to knee problems from lack of fitness, or they can’t fast due to health problems that may have been preventable by building healthy habits when they were younger.
That’s why I created The Healthy Kid Weight Method™—a proven way to help kids build healthy habits and regain confidence without obsessing over the scale or restrictive dieting.
2. What are the biggest obstacles to weight loss beyond diet and exercise?
The real barriers go way beyond food and activity. If weight loss were as simple as “eat less, move more,” we wouldn’t be here.
Here are some red flags:
- Mindset & Emotional Eating – Over 75% of kids struggling with weight have disordered eating behaviors like emotional eating, bingeing, eating out of boredom or sneaking food. This NEEDS to be addressed if you want your child to get to a healthy weight and avoid complications like diabetes.
- Sleep & Stress – Poor sleep and high stress throw off hunger hormones, causing cravings, sluggish metabolism, and weight gain.
- The “Quick Fix” Mentality – Restrictive diets, cutting entire food groups, and focusing on numbers instead of long-term habits lead to yo-yo weight gain.
Your child’s weight is not your fault or their fault, you just need to focus on the right things to help them.
3. How can parents help their children when concerned about weight?
The goal is not weight loss. It’s building life-long habits, and once your child builds these habits starting NOW, the future is inevitably healthier for them. And while they are building these habits they build their confidence, increase energy, and avoid high cholesterol, diabetes, heart problems—all without guilt or obsession.
Here are some practical tips for parents:
- Ditch the Diet Talk – No more labeling foods as “good” or “bad.” Instead, use “sometimes” and “all-the-time” foods.
- Focus on Strength, Not Size – Instead of “losing weight,” shift the goal to feeling strong, having energy, and sleeping better.
- Watch Your Words – No shame, no guilt, no “you shouldn’t eat that.” Kids pick up on parental stress around food.
- Get your child involved – Let them help with meal prep, choose nutritious foods they enjoy, and pick activities they love. When they feel included, they’re more likely to stick with healthy habits!
Your child doesn’t need another diet. They need a reset.
4. Are weight loss drugs ever OK for kids?
Yes, there is a place for medication in helping kids achieve a healthy weight. Studies show that GLP-1 medications like Wegovy and Ozempic can be effective, especially for kids 12 years and up when combined with the right lifestyle changes. I do offer these medications to teens who qualify because there’s no reason to withhold a proven, life-changing tool—especially when weight struggles impact a child’s health.
That said, medication isn’t a magic fix. It works best when paired with nutrition, movement, sleep, and mindset shifts—which is exactly what we focus on in my Healthy Weight Membership.
5. What’s the first step for parents? What plans do you offer?
There are two ways I help families:
- Medical Appointments (families in Virginia & Maryland)
If your child needs a medical evaluation for weight concerns, diabetes, PCOS/menstrual irregularity or metabolic issues, I offer one-on-one medical appointments where we:
- Assess key metabolic and hormone labs
- Evaluate growth & puberty
- Discuss treatment options
- Provide a personalized plan
Insurance & Payment Options
I’m working on being in-network with most major insurance companies. If I’m not in-network yet, we can help you submit an out-of-network claim for potential reimbursement. If you want to learn more? Reach out and let’s see which option is the best fit for your family!
- The Healthy Weight Membership (Families Nationwide)
The Healthy Weight Membership is not just another diet plan. It’s a proven solution to help kids build habits that last a lifetime.
Included in the membership are:
- Nutrition strategies – No calorie counting or food guilt. Just realistic, balanced meals.
- Mindset & habit coaching – Addressing emotional eating and other disordered eating patterns, food sneaking, and confidence. We get to the root cause of the weight problem.
- Ongoing support – Because weight management isn’t a quick fix—it’s about long-term habit building and success.
6. How can parents reach out to you?
Dr. Ladan Davallow, pediatric endocrinologist
EndoMD Health
Website: www.endomdhealth.com
Email: info@endomdhealth.com
Instagram: @endomdhealth and @dia.bright
Managing your child's health can be difficult, especially when you are worried about their weight or eating habits. It is important to remember that you are not alone. Muslim professionals, many of whom are parents, understand your struggles and are ready to support you. If you have been thinking about reaching out to a specialist but did not know where to start, let this Ramadan be the time to take that first step. Whether you seek guidance from Dr. Davallow or another doctor, know that you are making the best choice for your child's well-being and your family's health.
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