Feed Your Family Right!

April 1, 2007
With childhood obesity at epidemic proportions, these two books offer parents well-founded, practical advice for feeding their children. A Harvard pediatrician and founder of the Optimal Weight for Life (OWL) Program at the Children's Hospital Boston, Ludwig, along with OWL dietician Rostler, presents a nine-week plan to help children and their families adopt healthy eating and physical activity habits. In part, he recommends eating a low-glycemic diet and not stopping for fast-food meals.

Zied ("So What Can I Eat?"!), a registered dietician who admits to weight struggles of her own as a child, is a national media spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association. With science and nutrition writer Winter, she focuses on all age groups, from infants to seniors. Zied gives more detailed information than does Ludwig regarding nutritional needs for specific age groups and suggestions for incorporating occasional fast-food meals into a healthy diet. Both books include recipes and menu substitutions, are personalized with frequent stories of clients who have successfully made positive lifestyle changes, emphasize family fitness activities, and dish out practical advice, e.g., eating more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. The biggest difference between them is that Ludwig's book concentrates on helping the child with a weight problem, which leads to positive changes for the entire family, while Zied's book is intended to provide nutrition and fitness information for all family members. Both are highly recommended for public libraries and consumer health collections.Robin Sabo, Central Michigan Univ. Lib., Mount Pleasant

Copyright 2007 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.