Experts have long advised people starting a weight loss plan to find a partner, but officials of a local weight management program say kids do better if the partners are their parents.

ViQuest Center makes parents a part of weight management programs it offers for ages 15 and younger. Two of the center's three weight management programs for children require parents to participate.

"It really is a commitment for the whole family," said Andrea Croley, coordinator of children's wellness program at ViQuest. "The parents are expected to be involved."

In Partners in Fun, for ages 2-7, parents attend classes taught by dietitians and other health professionals while their children run and play games nearby. In Fun for Kids, for ages 8-15, parents and children learn about healthy choices together.

The programs, for children who are overweight or at risk of becoming overweight, present nutritional and fitness approaches to combating the growing problem of childhood obesity in the region.

According to the East Carolina University Pediatric Health Weight and Research Treatment Center, studies indicate as many as half of school-age children in eastern North Carolina are either overweight or at risk for becoming overweight. Some studies indicate that more than twice as many children in the region are overweight, compared to their national counterparts.

"If eastern North Carolina was a state of its own, it would top the charts as far as childhood obesity goes," Croley said.

ViQuest's programs, funded by a grant from the Pitt County Memorial Hospital Foundation, are free to Pitt County children with a physician's referral. About 1,000 area youth have participated in the programs — which also include Gettin' Started for teens — since they began five years ago.

Among the graduates is Patrick Dunn, who lost 10 pounds in the program.

"I started the program weighing 172 and eating at McDonald's and Bojangles about every week," he said. "Now I eat healthy snacks and my mom cooks healthier."

ViQuest wellness program specialist Allison Spain said parents are a key to the program's success.

"I think that part of what leads to the success is involving the entire family," she said. "The kids can't make the decisions by themselves. ... They need support."

When Pat Baldwin signed up for Fun for Kids with her daughter, Ani, the two had tried diets before.

"Nothing worked very long," Ms. Baldwin said. "Invariably we would be back to our chicken nuggets and pizza."

Through games, activities and interactive lessons involved in Fun for Kids, mother and daughter began to make lifestyle changes. Ms. Baldwin restocked her cabinets with healthier foods. Ani started looking carefully at the foods she consumed.

"When I pack her lunches today, she questions me," Ms. Baldwin said. "'Mom did you pack fresh vegetables and light Ranch (dressing)? Did you pack fruit? Is the pudding sugar-free?'"

Fun for Kids helped Ani lose four inches from her waist. Her mother lost about 15 pounds.

Organizers say improved health, not weight loss, is the program's ultimate goal. Participants have cholesterol and glucose screenings before and after the program.

"We don't talk about lose weight, lose weight, lose weight," Croley said. "That's not all our focus. When we talk numbers, we really try to focus on the cholesterol measurements. (We) try to tell them how healthy they've made themselves inside their bodies versus just thinking about the exterior look of their bodies.

"Our program focuses on changing the lifestyle habits of the families because if we change those, we're going to have weight loss as a result."

To achieve lifestyle changes, participants are encouraged to set small goals for improving their eating or exercise habits each week. In addition, the program addresses self-esteem issues that may be caused by or even contribute to a weight problem.

A number of factors contribute to obesity in children and teens. In young children, weight gain can often be attributed to changes in the family such as moving or divorce, Croley said. In older children, obesity may be onset after teens and preteens develop a more sedentary lifestyle that includes more television and video games.

"They're also the ones that are making more food choices for themselves at that age," she said. "They're starting to have more say over their lives and they haven't learned what choices to make."

The Daily Reflector

ViQuest wellness program specialist Allison Spain offers the following tips for parents who want to help their children lose weight or simply adopt a healthier lifestyle in 2007:

1. Make small, short-term goals.

For example, if you drink soft drinks every day with every meal, don't try to go cold turkey. Instead, start by having water with one meal, two days a week.

2. Buy healthier snacks for home.

"The 4-year-old isn't doing the grocery shopping," Spain said.

You can limit the amount of junk food available simply by refusing to buy it. Many children might find it difficult to choose fruit over cookies at snack time, but if cookies are not available, the choice is an easy one.

3. Play outside with your kids.

Even children who normally tend to shy away from physical activity are usually happy to participate if their parents join in.

"It makes a huge difference if parents get out and play with them," Spain said. "Even in our younger class, kids are more likely to try things if their parents will try it with them."

4. Offer new foods, but don't try to force them.

When trying to get picky eaters to sample new foods, have a "safe food" available. For example, if a child likes macaroni and cheese but won't eat green beans, serve one alongside the other. Encourage the child to take a "no, thanks" bite of the green beans, which means he can try them and simply say "no, thanks" if he decides not to eat more.

"It's not as threatening," Spain said. "It's a little easier."

5. Forget perfect.

No one makes good nutritional choices all the time, and people who expect perfection often give up.

"There's no bad food," Spain said. "There are just things you just probably don't want to each so much of, that you don't want to eat every single day."

6. Talk it out. Discuss what works and doesn't work with other families who are trying to lose weight.

ViQuest has started a Healthy Families group for parents who want to talk about strategies for helping their children maintain a healthy weight. The first meeting is being held at 6 p.m. Jan. 22. Registration deadline is Jan. 17. The cost is $10 for ViQuest members and $12 for others. Calla 847-6501.

7. Be supportive.

Encourage your children to work to meet their goals. Make changes in your lifestyle habits to inspire them to change theirs as well.

"Kids look up to their parents," Spain said. "The support from their parents means so much more than sometimes the parents realize."

A new healthy weight management program is beginning today at ViQuest Center, 2610 Stantonsburg Road. The program, free to Pitt County residents, is $200 for others. A physician's referral is required. ViQuest is also hosting Gettin' Started, weight management classes for ages 16-18, at North Pitt and South Central high schools. Teen classes begin later this month. Call 847-6501.