[diamondpete]

Some suggestions from my own experience: I have 2 boys 9 and almost 5 (as I am constantly reminded):

1. have a wide variety of "snack" foods that are not crap. Such as fruits, veggies, etc. At age 10, most kids will eat anything if is is "prepped" for them and they are not forced to eat it. (Given that and the choice of nothing). Put out a dish of cut and peeled apples. It will disappear. So rather than tell him to eat an apple, it is good for you, have one there- it will be consumed.

2. Conversely, gradually eliminate the junk food in your house. As with healthy food choices, if unhealthy ones are there, they will eat them.


3. At meals serve less. Let him ask for seconds or thirds. (it takes about 20 min for leptin to kick in- though not sure if this differs in kids) This will encourage him to eat what he wants, not eat what is there. It may also slow down the pace of gobbling (I do not think boys eat, they gorge LOL)

4. DO not use food as a reward (you have been such a good boy, let's have a special treat!!! Or conversely, You little turd! No ice cream for you.) This is a very common phenomena in North America, and the kind of parenting our generation often encountered. It makes food an emotional reward, not a good habit to develop.

5. Encourage him to eat the food he likes first (many kids "hoard" the favorite part of the meal and eat it at the end, even if they are full) . Try to set portions smaller or equal than what you think he will eat, but if he cannot finish his meal, do not give him the speech about all the starving kids in the world who would love to have that. True as it maybe, and though we do not wish to waste food, the problem that faces the industrialized world is excess of food, not a shortage. So I would say if you are not hungry, don't eat it. (I do not like to see that either because it goes against everything I "learned" of about wasting food, but the reality has changed. That is why we go for smaller servings with serving dishes on the table.) (unless my wife it out, then eating standing up in front of the stove directly from the pot also works- LOL).

6. Lead by example: Even if you are fit and can get away with a twinkie here and there, don't.

I think with a bit of tweaking, you can probably manage this issue without making a big deal out of it. I would just gradually make the changes and not even "link" them to his weight. You are very lucky in that he is physically active, because that is more than half the battle. I hope that my comments are of some help to you. Good luck and please keep us posted on what you decide to do and how it is working out.

Peter