Today so many people are overweight or obese that it is sometimes viewed as the norm. This can make it difficult for parents to recognize if their child has a weight problem. A recent study surveying the parents of almost 300 children found:
Only 25% of the parents with an overweight child recognized that the child had a weight problem.
When the child was obese, one-third of the mothers and one-half of fathers indicated that the child's weight was "about right".
Parents who were overweight themselves were no better or worse at identifying a weight problem in their child.
Becky Hand
Becky is a registered and licensed dietitian with almost 20 years of experience. She teaches prenatal classes and counsels individuals, helping women eat right and stay fit before, during and after their pregnancies.
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