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Rating: 
Summary: Very effective book for parents of overweight children
Review: As a child psychiatrist, I recommend this excellent book without reservation to parents of children who are overweight. "Helping Your Child Lose Weight The Healthy Way" provides parents with lots of useful information and practical tips for helping their child modify his or her eating and exercise patterns, while maintaining both the physical and emotional health of the child. Thanks to the authors for providing such a useful resource for both parents and health care professionals who work with children.
Rating: 
Summary: Eh. Overall, Good Common Sense Ideas, but reservations
Review: I just read through this book for an hour or so... didn't read everything, obviously, but got the gist, I think. I like the book's sensible approach to MODERATION in both food & fitness. Baby steps, which is right on the money. I also enjoyed reading the book's suggestions on how to discuss weight sensitively with children of different age groups, and also how to approach mealtimes without creating problems later down the line for the child. My problem, however, is with the nutritional advice. This book is all about low-fat everything, despite being edited in 2001. Haven't we gotten past the old "all fat is bad fat" stance of the early 90's? This book is constantly suggesting we feed our children empty carbs like pretzels, bagels, fat-free chips, etc. UGH!! While I am not an Atkins junkie, I try to keep up-to-date on nutrition and I believe simple sugars such as those described contribute to weight gain as much (or possibly even more) than our old enemy, fat. Furthermore, there are good, heart-healthy fats out there that kids should be encouraged to eat: nuts, avocado, seeds, etc. Unfortunately, this book makes no mention of this. The suggested diets in this book, then, seem to me less than ideal for supporting weight loss while keeping the child satisfied (as is one of their "Rights of Chidren" addressed early on in the book). How can a kid be expected to be sated when his/her belly is full of empty carbs? I wouldn't be surprised that children would feel denied on such low-fat diets, and then overcompensate on fatty snacks when out of parental control. I'd like to see a book that recommends a whole-foods snack like nuts 'n berries, as opposed to one touting the benefits of a pack of low fat crackers and some non-fat cheese spread. Finally, on the topic of exercise... while this book includes LOTS of suggestions for working physical activity into a child's daily routine, I was hoping it would cover age-appropriate exercise goals for children. That is, how far/long is it healthy for a preschool child to walk? A school-age child? When is a good age to begin strength training, and what are some safety guidelines? etc. This information does not appear to be included in this book, which is unfortunate. But again, I did like the overall tone of this book. It's very encouraging and also drives home how we as parents need to model healthy eating & exercise habits at home, for our children to grow up strong & fit. Cheers!
Rating:
Summary: Eh. Overall, Good Common Sense Ideas, but reservations
Review: I just read through this book for an hour or so... didn't read everything, obviously, but got the gist, I think. I like the book's sensible approach to MODERATION in both food & fitness. Baby steps, which is right on the money. I also enjoyed reading the book's suggestions on how to discuss weight sensitively with children of different age groups, and also how to approach mealtimes without creating problems later down the line for the child. My problem, however, is with the nutritional advice. This book is all about low-fat everything, despite being edited in 2001. Haven't we gotten past the old "all fat is bad fat" stance of the early 90's? This book is constantly suggesting we feed our children empty carbs like pretzels, bagels, fat-free chips, etc. UGH!! While I am not an Atkins junkie, I try to keep up-to-date on nutrition and I believe simple sugars such as those described contribute to weight gain as much (or possibly even more) than our old enemy, fat. Furthermore, there are good, heart-healthy fats out there that kids should be encouraged to eat: nuts, avocado, seeds, etc. Unfortunately, this book makes no mention of this. The suggested diets in this book, then, seem to me less than ideal for supporting weight loss while keeping the child satisfied (as is one of their "Rights of Chidren" addressed early on in the book). How can a kid be expected to be sated when his/her belly is full of empty carbs? I wouldn't be surprised that children would feel denied on such low-fat diets, and then overcompensate on fatty snacks when out of parental control. I'd like to see a book that recommends a whole-foods snack like nuts 'n berries, as opposed to one touting the benefits of a pack of low fat crackers and some non-fat cheese spread. Finally, on the topic of exercise... while this book includes LOTS of suggestions for working physical activity into a child's daily routine, I was hoping it would cover age-appropriate exercise goals for children. That is, how far/long is it healthy for a preschool child to walk? A school-age child? When is a good age to begin strength training, and what are some safety guidelines? etc. This information does not appear to be included in this book, which is unfortunate. But again, I did like the overall tone of this book. It's very encouraging and also drives home how we as parents need to model healthy eating & exercise habits at home, for our children to grow up strong & fit. Cheers!
Rating:
Summary: This book is great for parents and non-parents!
Review: I should say up-front that Judi is my nutritionist and I have been seeing her for about six months with wonderful results. I read and enjoyed her book, which contains the same great information that she provides in her office.
Though the book is geared towards parents, the message applies to anyone and everyone that is trying to lose weight, eat healthily, and generally improve their relationship with food.
The book promotes moderation, something that is woefully missing in so many diet advice books. Everyone is pitching extreme thinking to deal with a problem that many people view as extreme. But in the real world, we are surrounded by hundreds of diet decisions each day and consistently making healthy moderate choices is a skill like anything-- it must be developed over a period of time-- it requires education, common sense and the empathy of the people around us as we learn.
This book is really a wonderful resource for parents, who are teaching their children to take care of their health as they grow, and for adults who are working to keep themselves fit and well.
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