Childhood obesity programs can lead to sustained weight loss when
treatment focuses on behaviour changes. There are several techniques
available for behaviour therapy, including the following:

Keep a daily food diary. Help your child record the type and amount
of food eaten, when, with whom, and where it was eaten. This will
allow your child and healthcare professional to recognize and
eventually change eating behaviour patterns. For example,
avoid eating while your child is watching television, doing homework,
or playing computer games.

Distinguish between hunger and appetite. Teach your child cues to
control appetite and schedule meals regularly.
 
Identify activities that will divert attention from food.

Build self-esteem by changing negative to positive goals. Avoid
weighing your child at home more than once a week, and focus on the
changes you have made in behaviour rather than on the numbers on the
scale.

Reinforce positive new behaviour by offering rewards for behaviour
and not weight loss. Avoid any food rewards  be creative!
 
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