ABSTRACT
For a junior-aged child who is already overweight, progress will require working out what factors lie behind the weight problem. Forcing a healthy diet will be unsuccessful, whereas finding positive solutions to troublesome eating patterns or a dislike of exercise will produce welcome improvements. Neither restricting a child's diet nor aiming for weight reduction is appropriate for a growing child. By looking to stabilise weight and promote healthy eating habits, they should 'grow into their weight' as growth in height continues. Children may make the discovery of cheering themselves up by eating rich foods, but more often it is taught by friends and family. Some children learn to gain popularity by giving food or 'status snacks' to friends. A child in the playground who hands out toffees and crisps to anyone that will be friends will become popular, although it would be a harsh lesson to then find popularity fading if the food supply dries up.
