For example, telling children that they will get dessert if they eat all of their vegetables sends the wrong message about vegetables. Make sure your child's meals outside the home are balanced. Find out more about your school lunch program, or pack your child's lunch to include a variety of foods. Also, select healthier items when dining at restaurants. Set a good example.
Children are good learners, and they learn best by example.
Setting a good example for your kids by eating a variety of foods and being physically active will teach your children healthy lifestyle habits that they can follow for the rest of their lives. If your efforts at home are unsuccessful in helping your child reach a healthy weight and your physician determines that your child's health is at risk unless he or she loses weight steadily, you may want to consider a formal treatment program. Look for the following characteristics when choosing a weight-control program for your child. The best programs may include RDs, exercise physiologists, pediatricians or family physicians, and psychiatrists or psychologists. Perform a medical evaluation of the child.