Food becomes less important, activity more exciting and the child's weight begins to normalize. Diets typically cause children to feel deprived and, as a consequence, to overeat. Children and parents develop a more active lifestyle and replace television viewing and other inactive pursuits with chores, interests, sports, and projects. A wide range of strategies help the child and parent take care of their emotional and physcial health. For example, children learn techniques that effectively stop peer teasing.
Parents free themselves from the weightism of our society.
Families learn communication techniques to resolve conflicts. Ethnic, cultural and economic differences are reflected in the program as are a range of family types, such as single parents and blended families. However, overweight parents need a comprehensive assessment from their own health care provider to determine the best form of care for them. If both parents reside in the area, both parents should attend. Also, step-parents, aunts, friends, or anyone who takes a parenting role, is encouraged to participate.