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Obesity and Weight Management

Parents Can Help Overweight Children

Having trouble talking with your child about a weight problem? About 18 percent of 6-11 year olds and 11 percent of adolescents are overweight or obese -- more than ever before. And the statistic for adults is even worse -- 67 percent of American adults are overweight or obese.

Talking with anyone, especially children, about weight-related issues can be touchy. So many emotional, cultural and social aspects are inextricably linked with weight in our society that it's often difficult to focus on the health-related aspects.

A recent survey of 1,000 members of the American Dietetic Association might give you some guidance. According to respondents, the three top factors in preventing excess weight in children are:

This article originally appeared in Chow Line 11/02/03 a service of Ohio State University Extension and the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, and was adapted for use on NetWellness with permission, 2007.

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Last Reviewed: Aug 07, 2007

The Ohio State University Sharron Coplin, MS, RD, LD
Lecturer, Food & Nutrition
Department of Human Nutrition
College of Education and Human Ecology
The Ohio State University
Sharron   Coplin, MS, RD, LD