Child weight loss is very different from adult weight loss for many reasons.  First and foremost, children need a sufficient number of calories to support their growth and development.  We cannot limit fat as much as we do in adults because children need fat for continued brain development.  We also don’t want to limit carbohydrates which are essential for growth and energy.  In fact, most studies show that low carbohydrate diets are neither safe nor effective for children. 

It is not safe for children to lose weight too quickly. Weight loss in children must be closely monitored by a doctor to make sure that no nutritional deficiencies are developing and that growth and development is appropriate.  We recommend that all patients see their pediatricians routinely while following our program. 

We aim for a slow, steady, and healthy rate of weight loss, approximately one half pound to one pound per week.  It is not safe for children to routinely lose weight more quickly than that.  Of course, there may be some weeks when your child loses more than one pound but in general, sticking to a half pound to one pound per week is ideal.

Remember, your children are still growing.  So even if they don’t lose a pound (but rather maintain their current weight) and continue to grow, they will get thinner.  We call this “growing into their weight”.  In fact, for younger kids, we don’t aim for any weight loss; we aim for weight maintenance and continued growth.    

Your child has reached her goal when her BMI is less than the 80th to 85th percentile.  I do not like to discuss goal weights with children because as a child grows, that goal number increases.  I have found that if you tell a child she should weigh 100 pounds (because she is currently 5 feet tall), she will not give up on that number, even if she grows 2 or 3 inches (at which time her goal weight may be closer to 115.)  In the end, it just leads to disappointment.  I like to focus on a BMI percentage goal for the exact reason that it is more abstract!

In summary, we aim for a half a pound to one pound of weight loss per week until your child reaches a BMI that is less than the 80th to 85th percentile.