Weight management programs for kids are an interesting concept to me. Why do we assume that only families in which there is an overweight child need education? All families need education in how to live healthfully. Dr. David Katz, from Yale Univeristy said:

 “This is the first generation that probably will not outlive their parents.”  This is the first time in human history for this to occur. He did not make a distinction between “normal” and “overweight” children.   Keep in mind that obesity in general is not the problem, it is these behaviors:

• eating high fat, low nutrient foods
• eating too large of portions
• being too sedentary

 For some people, including children, those behaviors will lead to obesity.  For some, it will not.   Regardless of the visual effect, the results inside the body are the same:

• fatty build up in the arteries
• low energy
• compromised cardiovascular health
• risk for diabetes
• and on and on.

 It is the behaviors that must change in order to improve health, not the result of weight loss. 

This is worth repeating: To improve health, health behaviors (nutrition and activity habits) must change.  Weight loss alone will not improve health. Given this, it is important to measure your health successes and those of your child by the decisions made daily to eat well and engage in activiy, rather than measure success by stepping on a scale. You can control your behaviors. You can not directly control the scale. If you are encountering a particular obstacle for living healthfully or have a suggestion for turning your health around, please post a comment.  

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