Approximately twenty-five percent of our children and teenagers in the United Sates are obese. In spite of the significant adverse effects that obesity can have on health. Many parents find dealing with obesity in childhood difficult and figure it can be dealt with later. Childhood weight problems is often carry over into adulthood, leading to chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease. Worse, these formerly adult diseases are now increasingly being found in some children and adolescents.

Parents need to be aware that children can suffer from obesity as much as, if not more than, adults can. Overweight children with asthma have much more severe problems than normal weight asthmatics. Older children and adolescents can develop hip problems from obesity. More importantly, children of all ages can suffer socially, which has negative effects that can make them miserable for the rest of their lives.

Contributing FactorsIn rare cases, a medical problem may be the cause. If you suspect your child has a weight problem, take him to his pediatrician for a full exam.

Lack of exercise is one of the most common factors leading to childhood obesity. Too much television and computer and video games, along with a decrease or elimination of physical education from schools, accounts for the fact that many children simply do not get any exercise.

Excess calorie consumption is another cause. Today's families are pressed for time, relying heavily on convenience and fast foods, which are high in calories. Many children are also taking in hundreds of calories a day in the form of sodas and juice drinks. Over-large portions at both restaurants and home also play a part.

Family history also contributes to childhood obesity. Children with overweight parents or siblings are more likely to be overweight themselves. Researchers do not know, though, whether this is due to genetics or to the learning of unhealthy behaviors and habits.

Can't I Just Put Her on the Same Diet I'm On?Children are not little adults. Since they are growing, most children should not have to lose any weight to slim down. A diet that decreases the weight gain while the child is growing will result in a healthy, gradual slimming and teach good eating habits for a lifetime. Emphasis should be placed on eating better and becoming more active, rather than on the numbers on the scale.

How Do I Talk to My Child About His Weight?Be supportive of your child. Kids need to know that you love and respect them, no matter what their weight is. Kids who feel loved and confident are more able to make healthy lifestyle changes and feel good about themselves.

With younger children, do not mention anything about their weight. If they have questions such as, "Why is there a new kind of ice cream in the freezer?" you can reply, "It's not really ice cream, it's frozen yogurt. I'm buying it now because it's healthier for our family." Emphasize the positive, such as, "Drinking mild instead of soda pop will make you big and strong like daddy."

Middle years children (six to twelve) like to put new information into practice. This is the perfect time to teach facts about nutrition, exercise, and healthy lifestyles. They need a balance between structure and freedom of choice, though, so praise their healthy decisions.

With teens, talk calmly and honestly about the dangers of improper nutrition. If she is having difficulties losing weight, validate how hard it may be and remind her that everyone enjoys food. Make her do a reality check to see if she's working to hard to lose weight and being too extreme in her efforts. Help her see that moderation is more effective.

Tips for Improving Family Eating BehaviorsTeach your children about good nutrition. The entire family should have a basic understanding of what a healthy diet is. If you don't know yourself, see a registered dietitian and take your children with you.

When going to the supermarket, make a shopping list in advance and stick to it. Make sure there's enough variety in the foods you choose to prevent boredom. Bring home fewer tempting, high-fat foods. Read labels so you know what you're buying. Watch for excessive sugar.

In the kitchen, prepare foods with less fat. Increase the frequency of fruits and vegetables. Serve smaller amounts of higher-fat foods, but don't cut them out completely. Let your child help with meal planning and cooking. It's helpful for them to be involved and feel like they have some control over their diet.

Have healthy snacks ready and available. It's normal for children to get hungry between meals. Kid-friendly choices include apple slices with peanut butter or low-fat cheese, yogurt with granola, dried fruits and nuts, and vegetable sticks with a healthy dip. Put snacks in individual serving packages or put a serving in a bowl. (Giving a child a large bag of chips and expecting him to stop after little is unreasonable.)

Schedule for success. Plan for more regular meals, and don't let your child skip breakfast. Include healthy mid-morning and mid-afternoon snacks into your child's routine. Plan and have more meals together as a family. Eat all meals and snacks at the table. Children (and adults) who eat while watching television or doing other activities are more likely to overeat because they aren't paying attention to how much they are eating.

Provide a supportive environment for weight control. Don't be the "food police." This strategy is likely to backfire, with children sneaking food or binging in private. Instead, minimize the amounts of high fat foods in the house. Put tempting foods out of sight. Make nutritious foods readily available. Never make your child clear his plate, and don't offer dessert rewards for finishing all the food on his plate. Children need to learn that food is fuel for your body, as well as a source of pleasure. Associating food with punishment or reward may distort their views of the role of food in their lives.

Be a good role model. Don't skip meals. Cook more at home instead of eating out.

Eat slowly and enjoy your food; meals should last at least twenty minutes. Have fruit for dessert instead of sweets. Be active after dinnertime instead of lounging on the recliner.

Increase family activity levels. Set limits on television watching and computer/video game playing. Use the car less often. Use the stairs instead of the elevator or escalator both when alone and with your child. Take family walks after dinner. Buy an aerobics tape especially for children. Experts agree that this may be one of the most important things you can do for your kids, because regular exercise is vital to weight control and overall health.

Utilize the above tips, and your entire family will be on the way to healthier eating. Children who learn healthy behaviors when they are young are much more likely to continue those habits throughout the rest of their lives.

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