Kids are very smart even when they become obese children. Very early on they understand the concept of “real” and “fake” and that real is far better than fake. The first step to a lifetime of health is to discuss “real food” and “fake food.” In a nutshell, real food comes from nature and fake food comes from factories (like chips, sweetened beverages and most fruit juices). Once they get the point, agree to choose real food most times at home and away from home.

A second step is to avoid sugar fests. Serve fruit as dessert rather than treats (like candy, chocolate milk, ice-cream, cake and cookies). Treats are best reserved for special rare occasions. This can be challenging, but if it never winds up in your shopping cart, then the likelihood of raising an obese child narrows considerably.