from grownups. This fact clearly calls for parents to use a much different
strategy when helping children to achieve a healthy weight than they
would use for themselves. I was also impressed to read in Family
Power about how important it is for parents to understand that their children
need calories to grow as well as the recommendation that most
children should not lose more than one pound per month—advice very
different from weight-loss recommendations for adults.
We recently dealt with a weight issue in my family. When my oldest
son, Ben, was in eighth grade he gained weight, probably because his
body was storing fuel prior to his growth spurt. Because my husband,
Richard, and I had both been overweight at that age, we understood how
important it was for us to help Ben without making him feel selfconscious.
So the three of us became a team for healthy living: We all
learned to read food labels so we could choose healthier foods to have
at home. Our focus was on health—not on dieting or weight loss. Moderation
became our buzzword, and we learned that we could enjoy treats
and not feel denied. Ben was self-motivated because he wanted to try
out for the high school soccer team. He took the lead, ate in a healthy
way, increased his physical activity, and grew into his weight. I am very
impressed that Family Power offers families many strategies for dealing
with similar issues.