Forget What Recent Reports Say: Talk to Your Child About Weight

Lately, a string of news reports recommend what seems like straightforward advice: leave weight out of health-related conversations with your child. I agree with this, to a point. It’s beneficial not to harp on a child’s weight and to avoid commenting on weight in general. In other words, don’t engage in what researchers call “weight talk.” Rather, focus on healthy habits and the importance of taking care of one’s body. A 2016 report from The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) puts it this...