CHICAGO -- Childhood obesity has reached epidemic proportions, affecting more than 9 million children and teens in the United States alone. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), one of the ways to alleviate this problem starts with parents.

A Parents Guide to Childhood Obesity: A Road Map to Health by the AAP, offers practical advice on how parents can help their children manage their weight. The guide, edited by Sandra Hassink, MD, FAAP, examines the many effects of childhood obesity, from low self-esteem to serious medical conditions, and what parents can do to prevent them. Detailed and informative, this handy guide offers sensible solutions to achieving a healthy weight, beginning with prenatal care and culminating in adolescence, and does so with a single encouraging message at its core: You and your child can succeed.

Advocating that parents work closely with pediatricians, family members and schools to ensure success, A Parents Guide to Childhood Obesity includes information on preparing balanced and nourishing meals, increasing physical activity for the whole family and dealing with potential setbacks such as sneaking food, holiday bingeing and snacking. The guide also stresses consistency and the importance of being a role model for children, noting that parents should not simply tell kids what to eat or how to stay active but should instead show them, and participate with them.

Incorporating worksheets and questionnaires that help track childrens progress, A Parents Guide to Childhood Obesity presents medically sound, research-based insights on the challenges of childhood obesity-both physical and emotional. It provides practical suggestions for parents who want to transform their childrens lives for the better and create
healthier, happier kids.

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EDITORS NOTE: Parents can order A Parents Guide to Obesity: A Road Map to Health by calling the toll-free AAP order line at 888-227-1770, or by visiting the AAP BookStore. The book will be available in stores in August 2006.