Helping Your Child Be a Healthy Weight

Be a Positive Role Model

Children eat what their parents eat so, you need to set a good example and eat the same foods you want your child to eat. Your attitudes, beliefs and behaviors around food are passed down to your children in both explicit and implicit ways.

There needs to be conscious parenting around food. Make a point to convey that fruits, vegetables and whole grains are yummy and be careful not to emphasize a craving for sweets or salty snacks. Studies show that parents' presence at mealtime leads to kids eating healthier meals. And, in terms of preventing obesity, it's important to understand that the exposures you give your children will influence what they eat.

Set Limits

One of the most important things you can do for your child is to set limits. Parents must be the gatekeepers. This is the case for all dangerous behaviors, including overeating. Children need their parents to set limits for them. You cannot expect your child to self-limit how much he or she eats.

Restrict Sweetened Beverages

Children should not drink soda, juice or other sweetened beverages. Beverages with sugar are essentially wasted calories. While high in calories, sweetened beverages do little to fill up your child.

Limit Television

Specifically, children under 2 years of age should not watch any television. Children over 2 should only watch one to two hours a day. Studies have shown that limiting television is an important part of helping children lose weight and be more active. Also crucial is not eating in front of the television.

Use Positive Messages and Rewards.

Children benefit from setting attainable goals that are celebrated with inexpensive, non-food and age-appropriate rewards. When children have a reward to work toward, they are more likely to succeed. The best reward you can give a child is time with the parent. Rewards can include taking your child to the park or to see or rent a movie. Praise also is extremely important, even non-verbal praise such as a thumbs up. For teenagers, getting a music CD or movie ticket or getting to spend special time with a friend are great rewards.

Help Your Child be Active.

The key to children and physical activity is that it has to be fun. To find the activities children really enjoy, you have to expose them to many different activities. And, as with adults, your child's favorite activities will likely change over time.

Some kids like doing the same thing over and over. They like the structure that doing the same activity provides. But most children need constant exposure to a variety of activities or they'll get bored.

It's best to expose your child to many different activities -- from biking to swimming to team sports to walking with mom or dad to skateboarding to dance class. Let them tell you what they like and what they want to do. And, for almost all kids, activity works best if they are doing it with someone else, especially a parent.

More Information:

• Childhood Obesity
• Healthy Diet Tips
• Get Active

Reviewed by health care specialists at UCSF Children's Hospital.
Last updated May 8, 2007

This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice of your doctor or health care provider. We encourage you to discuss with your doctor any questions or concerns you may have.