Successful Weight Loss For Children Depends on the Parents As Co-Dieters

16 million overweight children or teens in America live inThey can eat these foods and drinks at work, at
a household with one or more overweight parents -school, at friends houses, in cars and maybe on the
80% of whom will become obese as adults, if leftpatio, but Not inside the home. What child wants to eat
untreated. These children suffer from serious selfa piece of fruit or a turkey sandwich when the rest of
esteem issues and are developing high blood pressure,the family is eating pizza, brownies or Doritos.
cholesterol and diabetes - adult diseases today, not inGrandparents, and other family members need to be
20 years.included. Just one little mistake can send the struggling
The only solution that works is if these overeatingchild or teen back a few steps. When visiting
children are joined by their parents and every membergrandma's house, the bad foods can be put away and
of the family. The overweight child or teen shouldgrandma can serve the right foods and have the right
never be singled out from the rest of the family nor100 calorie packs of snacks for the visiting
treated as a second class citizen. No foods aregrandchildren.
restricted and equal access to every food in theSuccessful weight loss programs for children and
household is permitted. The child should never feel liketeens become seamless between weekdays and
he is on a diet because at lease one parent is theweekends, going on vacation, visiting other family
"co-dieter" with the child making the same few simplemembers home and even going out to dinner. So
eating and exercise changes along with their child.called, "cheat days" at fast food restaurants only
Recent weight loss books for both adults and childrenserve to remind the kids that are "different" than the
have come to similar conclusions: long term successrest of the kids. Adults who are trying to stop smoking
can only be accomplished if the family acts as a singledon't light up a cigarette on weekends nor do
unit, making a few simple changes in diet and exercise.alcoholics go to bars and have a glass ginger ale at
Whether other family members are "normal," thin orthe bar.
overweight, everyone eats the same. It will do no harmParents no longer buy the wrong foods and drinks,
for normal weight siblings or parents to eat a littlebad foods simply disappear from the home. When kids
healthier and exercise a little more.ask to go to burger fast food restaurants, the reply is
What if one parent or an older child wants to eatsimply, "our car doesn't go their any more." If kids ask
some "bad foods.?" That's simple, they are free to dofor their favorite juice box, the reply is"we don't buy
such, but not within the home of the overeating child.them any more, try this Crystal lite.