In the past fifty years, the percent of overweight children has more than doubled. The issue of a child’s weight is a difficult one. Many parents hesitate to raise weight-related issues for fear of damaging self-esteem or pushing their kids toward an eating disorder. When managing your child’s weight, the word ‘diet’ should not be spoken. To be sure not to single out the child who has a weight problem, parents need to make weight loss a family adventure. Kids are innocent and so in the NOW. They eat what they like and most of them have no idea of the long term effects that poor eating causes. When kids are home from school, you have control. Kids will eat what you buy, hence the shopping list should not include a vast amount of cookies, chips or soda. Supply the home with plenty of fresh fruits and veggies. Have fussy kids? Institute the ‘one bite rule.’ Unless the child takes at least one bite of a vegetable, they can not leave the table. Bring the child to the grocery store and have them pick out one new veggie to eat each week. Getting the child involved will make it fun! When your child goes to school you have less control over their menus, but you still can set up some parameters. If your child will take a lunch you will be able to help your child obtain their goal weight easier with healthy lunches. If your child is strictly a buyer, you can limit their days to purchase snacks. Call the school to see what type of limits you can apply. And lastly, encourage physical exercise as a family. Do it together and it is not exercise, it’s fun. Good Luck.