by Amanda Roberts

Created on: July 11, 2010

With all of the hype in the media about overweight kids and obesity in America, it is no wonder why many parents feel the need to start looking for a diet program for their children. But really, is it a good idea to put children on a diet? The answer may surprise you.

Unless a child is severely obese, most pediatricians will caution parents against putting their child on a strict diet program, for good reason. Teaching children to ration food or count calories can foster restrictive ideas about food, which can turn into disordered eating in later life. Also, removing any food group completely from a child's diet (like removing all carbohydrates) can prove detrimental to a child's health. So what can you do to help your child to come down to a healthy weight without jeopardizing their health?

1) Are they heavy? The first thing to decide is whether or not your child really needs to reduce their size. Normally, your child's doctor will make of note of telling you if your child's weight is too high. If you are in doubt though, you can use a simple BMI/Growth Chart Calculator. If your child is above the 85th percentile for height and weight, your child is overweight and can benefit from the following tips. If they are below the 85th percentile, then they are at a healthy weight for their age and height.

2) Maintain not grow. If your child is overweight according to the growth chart, your goal should be to help them maintain their weight as they grow over time. This is true because as your child grows taller, their weight will become more proportional for their body.

3) Look at your food. If your child is heavy, you should first look at the food you and your family eat. Reducing fried and breaded food in favor of baked, sauteed, or steamed meats and vegetables can reduce the amount of fat in your child's (and your own) diet. Also, substitute the fats you cook with (butter, lard, and pig fat are some examples) for olive oil and cooking sprays to add a healthy twist to your meals without substituting flavor. If you are willing to go even further, substituting your dairy products for lower fat versions (low fat or 2% milk for example) can cut fat and add some pep in your step. 

4) Look at your drinks. Water is extremely important to any human being. Look at the drinks your child is ingesting and substitute high sugar drinks for water. Your child will look and feel better. 

5) Look at your plate. Even if you are eating the best foods, sometimes you can eat

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