How parents can talk to kids and teens about weight loss

Whether a child brings up their weight first or parents decide to broach the topic, the family needs to work together as a team to decide how to move forward and improve the child’s health, mental or physical, says Myles S. Faith, Ph.D., professor of counseling and educational psychology at the University at Buffalo. Here, Faith shares his tips for safely talking to kids and teens about weight. Gallery: 20 Ways to Overcome a Weight-Loss Plateau (Eat This, Not That) Pick a time with few distractions, like after dinner, when children are relaxed, Faith says. Offer three options, like baby carrots, an apple and almonds, and ask the child to decide what they want. It’s okay to weigh kids once in a while as a way to monitor progress, says Faith, but remember some weight gain is normal because they are still growing.