Studies suggest that most Americans gain about a pound during the winter holiday season. It doesn't sound like much, but the extra weight accumulates through the years and may be a major contributor to obesity later in life, according to the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.
So while parents do well to worry about their own waistlines, pediatricians urge them also to watch their children's food consumption. Here are some helpful guidelines from Dr. Katrina Bolar, pediatrician and director of the Department of Pediatric Endocrinology at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, to help kids maintain a healthy weight.
Substitute crackers for cupcakes--Stock up on peanut butter crackers, cereal bars, trail mix, or fresh fruit.
Shrink portion size--When serving up a child's plate, focus on variety rather than quantity, offering plenty of vegetables or fruit and keeping the portions small enough to allow for seconds. "A six- to ten-year-old portion is much smaller than an adult portion," Bolar says.
Unsubscribe to the "Clean-Plate Club" Even a special meal--or a sensitive auntie whose squash casserole lies untouched on the child's plate--is no reason for forcing a child to eat when he or she is full, according to Bolar.
Focus on togetherness--Most importantly, parents can teach their children that mealtimes are about family, friends and tradition--not only food. Bolar encourages parents to set the example by eating slowly and enjoying the social aspect of eating together.
"My bones are getting softer, but my arteries are getting harder, so it balances out."
Our Mission 
