Fit Kids: A Practical Guide to Raising Active and Healthy Children – From Birth to Teens
by Drs. Mary L. Gavin, Steven A. Dowshen and Neil Izenberg
DK Publishing, 2004

Review by Jennifer Sader

With all the recent attention to childhood obesity, including a new awareness campaign by former president Bill Clinton, every parent in America knows that our children are struggling with their weight more than at any other time in history. Most parents want to protect their kids from the serious health problems associated with being overweight; diabetes, high cholesterol and yes even heart disease.

Sparing children from the heart breaking emotional perils related to being even more than just a few pounds above 'normal' weight; teasing on the playground and poor self esteem is equally important to Moms and Dads.

But since half of adults in the United States are overweight or obese, parents might not have the information to help their kids stay fit and healthy. How should parents help an overweight child without hurting their feelings? How much food does a toddler need? What is the best way to get kids to eat healthy meals without turning dinnertime into a daily drama? And most importantly, how can we teach our children to be happy and fit and not obsessed with calories and fat grams?

Fit Kids: A Practical Guide to Raising Active and Healthy Children – From Birth to Teens, by Drs. Mary L. Gavin, Steven A. Dowshen, and Neil Izenberg is a great reference for parents with questions like these. This glossy, full-color hardcover book covers children's food and activity needs at every stage of life from birth through the teen years. The photography shows beautiful children of all ages playing and enjoying healthy food. Fit Kids includes age-appropriate menus and activity plans, healthy recipes, and even addresses special needs children; children with disabilities and food allergies. It also offers sensitive and sensible ways to help kids conquer weight problems.

Cooking Thin fans who are parents or parents-to-be will definitely appreciate Fit Kids. The book is beautiful enough to make a nice baby shower gift for a health-conscious parents-to-be. Looking at the book with children and talking about the pictures is a great way for parents to introduce healthy attitudes about food and exercise to young ones. This is the book that will answer the hard questions and speak for parents not wanting to be the 'bad guys.' It's also a book that kids would take off the shelf to read for themselves when they have questions about how to stay healthy. A must have for every family book shelf.