No matter what your family structure, helping your child achieve a healthier weight should involve the entire household. It doesn't matter whether you belong to a traditional nuclear family or single-parent household, whether you are a guardian of your grandchild or parent of one child or a dozen — everyone can benefit from good food, exercise, and the emotional connections that are strengthened when families work towards good health together.

Walking the Walk

When several members of the household have weight issues, the benefits of a family fitness plan are obvious. But sometimes, when parents and siblings happen to be slim, there's a misconception that the only person with “a fitness problem” is the child who is overweight. Take a long, hard look at your family's physical fitness. Is your daily dietary intake well balanced, and does it consist of plenty of nutrient-rich whole foods? Do you all get the recommended thirty to sixty minutes of daily exercise? Are you spending enough time together to support these important health goals?

The World Health Organization estimates that between 60 to 85 percent of the world's population leads a sedentary lifestyle, and the resulting lack of fitness may be among the ten leading global causes of death and disability. So if you aren't an active bunch, you aren't alone. The good news is that you have the chance to do something about it now.

For parents who were already eating nutritiously and exercising regularly, a fitness program would be nothing out of the ordinary — but perhaps it's a new concept to involve your children fully in your efforts. Maybe you work out at the gym daily, but you don't encourage physical activity during family time. Or maybe you eat healthful meals away from home while stocking your shelves with the deep fried, sugar-coated, trans-fatty snacks your kids always ask for. If so, it will be necessary to realign your personal fitness goals to take your child's needs into account as well.

Fostering Family Unity

Americans are busier than ever, but as a nation we are getting less exercise than ever before. That particular paradox is frequently what creates a weight issue in the first place. Between a parent's work and social obligations for parents, and the child's school commitments and extracurricular activities, it can be hard to find time to come together as a family. Sit down today and commit to at least one weekend day that you can designate as family time. If you work weekends or have other critical weekend commitments that just can't be moved, then choose at least two weeknights, weekday afternoons, or other time periods when your schedules align, and block them off for family use. More is of course encouraged, but for now make that minimum commitment.

Obviously when and how long you can spend time together will be variable, and your schedules may require readjustment as short-term events and commitments pop up. The important thing is to make an ongoing commitment to spending a specific amount of time together each week and sticking to it. It is insignificant if your family's together time falls on a Tuesday one week and a Thursday the next, as long as you make sure to find the time.

If a look at your calendar makes you think that twice a month is a more realistic goal, you need what's commonly called a reality check. Really examine your own commitments, do the same for your child's, and then think about where adjustments can be made. Overextending yourself isn't good for you or your children. It may not be realistic to eliminate activities related to your job or workplace, but you may be able to scale back your social or community obligations. Or perhaps cutting back on time spent working is a feasible goal. Prioritize until you've carved out time for your weekly family togetherness commitment.