Wish you could help your child — or a child you love — avoid a lifelong battle with the bulge? You can! Childhood obesity expert Sharron Dalton recommends that parents do the following:

1. Be the authority: In between letting kids eat whatever they want and monitoring every bite is the balanced approach to helping your child learn to eat right. Make eating a balanced, healthy diet with reasonable portions an everyday family goal!
   
2. Plan and eat meals together: Research shows that children with families who eat together have a lower risk of eating disorders.
   
3. Eat moderately: Serving children large portions teaches them to overeat! Learn what an appropriate serving size is (measure it out if you have to) for you and your child.
   
4. Engage in indoor and outdoor activities: Have a family plan to stay active year-round, regardless of the weather!
   
5. Promote healthy alternatives: Put away the video games and television, and opt for a walk, bike ride, trip to the park, or other active pastime instead.
   
6. Get enough sleep: Studies have shown a link between sleep deprivation and obesity. Make sure that children aged 7 to 18 get nine hours a night. Keep in mind that younger children need even more!