Raising Happier, Healthier and Leaner Kids :

Dear Jodie:
I have three children and two of them, twin 11-year-old boys, are overweight for their size and age. I have tried different things to help them lose weight but nothing seems to work. A couple of years ago you recommended a book in your column, Parent to Parent. My neighbor actually bought and used the book for her 10-year-old daughter. She has since moved and currently there’s no way to contact her to ask if it worked. What was the name of the book and do you still recommend the program?
-- Name Withheld

Yes, I remember the name of the book and the program. The name of the book is, Trim Kids , by Melinda Sothern. After suggesting it in my family/health newspaper column, I received several emails from parents who wanted to know more about the diet. It’s actually a 12-week program for kids and teens. It is not a diet but an educational and motivational tool in achieving an attainable goal in weight and health for your kids. It contains several chapters covering eating healthier, proper nutrition, exercise tips, meal plans and the importance of combining all of these for the best results. Here are some doable tips to try with your kids:Childhood obesity is an ever-growing challenge and parents are quite concerned. So, what’s a family to do?

Let's face it, when we try to change the eating habits of children we will often hear complaints and whining. It's no easy task. However, a program for the whole family is ideal in achieving quicker success.