media avalanche "childhood ob$#!y" continues

My friends forward links (keep them coming!) of countless articles full of pseudo-science and terrifying half-truths that serve to confuse and miseducate parents.

Here are some facts you won't hear:

The United States Preventive Services Task Force states, "A substantial proportion of children under 12 or 13, even with BMI's above the 95% will not develop adult obesity." Pretty much every article you read will lead you to believe the opposite, and that if you don't do something now, your child is doomed.

In fact, the natural tendency is towards slimming as children grow (Serdula) but we never hear that either. And some children will grow up and still be in bigger bodies, even in the "ob#$" range, and they too can be health and happy.

Parents hear the hysteria and the fear tactics. We are urged by the media and even health care professionals to feed with the misguided agenda of controlling weight–which studies show leads to the very outcomes parents are trying to prevent.

My advice? Skip the articles. Feed with love and common sense and honor your bodies through joyful movement. Not sure how to do that? There are lots of resources out there. Try www.thefeedingdoctor.com or ellynsatterinstitute.org.