Healthy eating habits for kids

A: This is really tricky as you have to tackle this situation so gently and yet so firmly. This has to become a ‘family’ project, not just putting your child on a DIET! I hate that word, the implication already screams torture and these days, at the age of 11 they already have so much emotional stuff going on!
From an emotional perspective, your child is probably already struggling with body image (which I am sure you are aware of) so putting them on a specific DIET will make them feel even more self conscious of the situation. I know its not easy to hear, but they had help in getting overweight so now they need help getting their body healthy again. If you shift the focus of their needing to lose weight and rather tackling it from a ‘family change of lifestyle’ plan then the chance of their involvement and dedication long term will be greater! They will feel a part of something and not singled out, as such.