Children

1) My wife and I have recently switched from 1% to skim milk. What is the recommended type of milk for our two children, ages 8 and 9? 2) Please clarify the % fat content on food nutrition labels. I understand that a general guideline for gauging fat intake is no more than 30% of...

The only vegetables my kids will eat are corn and beans. I like most others, but I'm the only one in the family that will eat other vegetables. How can I get them to try something else? Your family's vegetable preferences are most commonly compared to other Americans. Corn and beans are probably the most...

According to the doctor's chart, my six-year-old son is 15 pounds overweight. Should I put him on a diet? What did his doctor say about your son's weight? Was he/she concerned? How tall is he? Does his weight compare to his height? In children, 0 to 18 years of age, their height should correlate to their...

My daughter is overweight and I am picky about what she eats. I pack her lunch for school, but she wants to eat school lunch. I'm concerned she will gain weight eating hot lunch at school. You did not say how old your daughter is, but if she were in elementary school, I would suggest...

My friends say my two-year-old son is overweight. He's 37 inches tall and 33 pounds. Are they right? Is he too fat? Your son is tall for his age (>97th percentile) and his weight (95th percentile) is appropriate for his height. No, he is not too fat. Your doctor can advise you if your son's...

My two and a half-year-old son eats dirt and potting soil from my houseplant. He also sucks on rocks, but he spits them out when he's done. How can I get him to stop? Every time he's out of my sight, he gets into something. I've told him to stop and he has been...