Helping Your Child Lose Weight the Healthy Way: A Family Approach to Weight Control

Abstract

LEARNING OUTCOME: To define effective family-centered techniques for counseling parents of overweight children. According to the Centers for Disease Control, 20% of children in the United States are overweight –– a two-fold increase in the last 30 years. In a 10-year outcome study, Epstein demonstrated that the most successful weight loss in overweight children occurs when the whole family is involved in the process. Dietitians counseling parents of overweight children should assess family dynamics in order to identify specific attitudes and behaviors for change, and to recommend strategies that involve appropriate family members. Assessment techniques include: (1) evaluating family shopping, cooking and meal patterns; (2) questioning the parents about their own exercise habits as well as the activity patterns of the child; (3) determining the parents’ expectations about their child's ideal body size and shape; and (4) probing parental and child preconceptions about dieting. Family-centered strategies for improving the eating and activity patterns and self-esteem of an overweight child might include: (1) parental role modeling of eating more fruits and vegetables; (2) gradually removing excessive high-calorie temptations from the home environment; (3) limiting family television viewing time; (4) engaging in more family-oriented physical activities that the child enjoys; and (5) eliminating parental and sibling comments that contribute to the overweight child's negative self-image. These techniques are integral to achieving effective weight control for overweight children that protects both their physical health and mental well-being.