When it comes to helping your child develop healthy habits and reach an improved level of fitness, it's critical to remember that “diet” is a four-letter word. Helping your overweight child is not about cutting out desserts and force-feeding broccoli. It's about embarking on a whole new way of living as a family.

Referring to your new way of eating as a diet doesn't work for several reasons. First of all, a diet implies a short-term plan, one that can be abandoned as soon as a weight goal is reached. Your new way of eating is one that you hope will stay with your child, and your family, for life. The term “diet” also leaves exercise out of the healthy weight equation, although (as we now know) physical activity is an integral part of fitness for children and adults.

When talking about dietary changes with your child, refer to them simply as “healthy eating” or “better food choices.” Emphasizing moderation is also key. No food is really inherently bad if consumed in reasonable amounts at appropriate times. A big slab of chocolate fudge cake à la mode for dessert every night of the week isn't the best thing for a child trying to reach a healthier weight level, but the occasional slice of birthday cake is fine. As you're well aware just by virtue of being a parent, slapping a big red “NO” on anything just makes the forbidden seem that much more attractive.