At five years old Mark* and his parents left the pediatrician's office somewhat bewildered. Mark had become severely overweight since his appointment one year prior. The pediatrician had given them food lists and they were told to come back in six months. Mark is the youngest of three children. During the next week or so, the parents brought more of the foods on the list into their home. They encouraged their son to play outside more and enrolled him in swim class. Six months later they returned to the pediatrician hopeful that their efforts were effective. Unfortunately, Mark had gained weight and had not grown taller. The diagnosis of severe overweight remained. The pediatrician cautioned the disappointed parents not to have Mark gain more weight and suggested they seek specialized information referring them to the book Pedia Trim & Fit: Reclaiming Overweight Children. A follow-up appointment was scheduled for six months. Mark's parents took advantage of the advice and suggestions they found in the book. They began to implement a number of small changes over a few weeks. This allowed the entire family to get used to new choices, changes in lifestyle and practicing new habits, gradually. This approach also allowed for the time challenges each busy family faces. Over the ensuing six months, all the small changes and incremental goals added up to big success for Mark and his family. At the six month check up, Mark's parents were pleasantly surprised to discover that his weight had shifted into a healthier range. The pediatrician congratulated them on their efforts and advised them to maintain the healthier habits they had incorporated.

Aurora* is highly social and a picky eater at fourteen. Her weight gain had begun in middle school. Now it threatened to derail her dream of becoming a professional dancer. Each week is full with many hours devoted to dance classes and practice. She is an excellent student and volunteers at a daycare center. In her spare time she goes to the mall with her many friends from school and the neighborhood. During an annual physical, the pediatrician diagnosed Aurora as overweight. Aurora's mother was surprised as her daughter is so physically active. Aurora was upset by the diagnosis. The doctor advised her to eat more vegetables, cut down on sweets and come back in six months. During the ensuing months, Aurora began consuming foods labeled nonfat or low-fat. At school and with her friends she ate sparingly. Her favorite snack was fat-free popcorn. She continued her dance and extracurricular activities. At the six month check-up, the pediatrician noted that Aurora continued to be in the overweight range. Aurora began to cry in frustration recounting all that she had changed. Sobbing she confessed to being hungry and tired most of the time. The pediatrician suggested that Aurora and her mother might benefit from specialized information found in the book Pedia Trim & Fit: Reclaiming Overweight Children. A follow-up appointment was scheduled for six months. Aurora and her mother read the book separately and then discussed information relevant to a busy teen's school and social commitments. To start Aurora agreed to incorporate a few food changes on a trial basis. By making small changes over the next few weeks, Aurora noticed that the changes she had agreed to were beginning to make a difference. Her energy was up and she no longer was hungry all the time. This encouraged mother and daughter to risk more changes over ensuing weeks. At the six month check up, the pediatrician congratulated Aurora on having shifted to a healthier weight range - she was no longer overweight! To continue being healthy, trim and fit, the pediatrician counseled Aurora and her mother to continue their efforts and to maintain their healthier habits.

"By meeting up with my 'default behaviors' I discovered how I separate myself from a body I love."

"The reason I was awarded the business study scholarship to Oxford University over all the other applicants was due to the workshop. My weight is healthier than ever. Now I fit in one airplane seat instead of two." * Success Stories are composite profiles. All names have been changed to protect privacy.