Overweight or obese children may suffer from low self-esteem and poor physical health, and be at risk for obesity in adulthood as well as developing chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. A family-based approach such as the Stoplight Diet may be effective in helping your child lose weight, but be sure to consult your family doctor for the most appropriate health advice for your child.
Diet Background
Dr. Leonard Epstein, a childhood obesity researcher, helped develop the Stoplight, or Traffic Light, Diet to help his clients fight childhood obesity. The approach involves parents and their children working together to improve eating habits and limit calories. The American Dietetic Association says research shows that the diet is effective for helping children lose weight, but if your child is overweight or obese, be sure to talk to your doctor about the best approach for achieving a healthy weight.
Food Categories
The Stoplight Diet divides foods into the categories of fruits and vegetables, grains, milk and dairy products, protein foods and other foods, and the diet assigns a color to each food. Green foods have fewer than 20 calories per average serving. Yellow foods are nutrient-dense foods that should make up the majority of your consumption, and red foods provide empty calories and include high-fat foods as well as sweets, soft drinks or other foods with simple sugars. This concept is somewhat similar to the Go, Slow and Whoa! guidelines from KidsHealth.
Food-Based Goals
The two major goals of the diet are for families to limit red foods to no more than four servings per week, and to stay within the calorie limits. At the beginning of the diet, called the acute phase, your calorie level may be 900 to 1,200 calories per day, and later, you increase your level by 100 calories per day per week until you reach the proper level for maintaining your weight. Your family should also avoid storing red foods in your house.
Other Components
According to the American Dietetic Association, your therapist or physician may recommend additional support for the Stoplight Diet. You might keep a food diary and track your physical activity and your child's weight, and help your child do the same. Your therapist might teach you to praise your children and act as a positive role model. Sometimes, the program can include financial incentives such as reimbursement for the initial enrollment fee as you achieve milestones in the program.
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