WEIGHT WATCHERS(R) EAT! MOVE! PLAY! A Parent's Guide for Raising Healthy, Happy Kids

NEW YORK, April 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- "Through my years of medical practice and my personal experience with weight loss, I know that the simple suggestions presented in this book actually work. Parents need nothing more than a willingness to make small changes that can lead to big rewards."

--Dr. Lisa Thornton

From the Foreword

The world's leading provider of weight management services has developed a new, common sense blueprint to help all families optimize a healthy, nutritious lifestyle!

The prevalence of obesity in the United States has more than doubled in children and more than tripled in adolescents in the past 30 years.  As an increasing number of children are diagnosed with obesity related health problems like Type 2 diabetes and cholesterol abnormalities it is imperative that parents and caregivers have access to all the tools necessary to help break the cycle. In a new book, America's trusted weight-management program, Weight Watchers, provides parents with a simple, fresh approach to developing and maintaining healthy habits – for the entire family. Based on Weight Watchers science-based proven principles of weight management EAT! MOVE! PLAY! A Parent's Guide for Raising Healthy, Happy Kids (John Wiley & Sons; April 2010; Soft Cover; $19.95; ISBN: 978-0-470-47420-4) addresses many of the real-life concerns and challenges parents and caregivers deal with every day, and offers a host of practical tools to empower them to become healthy role models for their kids.

Drawing on the latest scientific and behavior research, WEIGHT WATCHERS EAT! MOVE! PLAY! breaks down challenges that both parents and children face, and offers suggestions on how to combat these obstacles.  In essence, by implementing the following Five Simple Rules to help children learn and understand the importance of smart food choices and a love of physical activity, families can move the needle in the fight against obesity now and into the future.

• Focus on wholesome, nutritious foods
• Ensure that treats in reasonable portions are part of kids' eating habits
• Limit screen time, like television and video games
• Ensure at least one hour of daily physical activity
• Apply these rules to everyone in the home

With these rules as a cornerstone, WEIGHT WATCHERS EAT! MOVE! PLAY! guides readers on a variety of topics including how to speak with a child's pediatrician about weight and how to deal with picky eaters and food challenges at all ages and stages. The book provides gradual steps towards a healthier family lifestyle that can start simply with swapping white grains for whole grains, integrating family activities that involve exercise, planning healthy recipes and allowing children to play an active role in cooking. With more than 75 kid-tested recipes, checklists, and goal sheets for the month and near future, parents have a simple yet successful blueprint for healthier kids.

Studies have shown that a parent's eating and activity habits as well as parenting practices can have an enduring effect on children's weight as they grow and develop.  With EAT! MOVE! PLAY!, parents can discover their unique parenting style and better understand how their personal relationship with food and exercise affects their child's perception of what is a healthy lifestyle. Written in an accessible and encouraging tone, Weight Watchers has created the essential guide for families across the country to create and sustain a fit household.

For more information visit www.WeightWatchers.com.  

About Weight Watchers International, Inc.

Weight Watchers International, Inc. is the world's leading provider of weight management services, operating globally through a network of Company-owned and franchise operations. Weight Watchers holds almost 50,000 meetings each week where members receive group support and learn about healthy eating patterns, behavior modification and physical activity. WeightWatchers.com provides innovative, subscription weight management products over the Internet and is the leading Internet-based weight management provider in the world. In addition, Weight Watchers offers a wide range of products, publications and programs for those interested in weight loss and weight control.  

EAT! MOVE! PLAY!

A Parent's Guide for Raising Healthy, Happy Kids

John Wiley & Sons; On Sale April 2010

Soft Cover; ISBN: 978-0-470-47420-4; $19.95

SOURCE Weight Watchers