Dr. Bouchard Endorsement TRIM KIDS Drs. Sothern and von Almen together with dietitian Schumacher have produced a sound and practical book. Trim Kids has been written for parents who have obese children but it will be also of considerable interest to physicians, behavior therapists, dietitians and exercise specialists who are dealing with obese kids in their clinical practice. The authors have worked together for about 15 years in a pediatric weight management program based at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in New Orleans. They cared deeply about the kids that they have helped over the years as is evident throughout the book. They are proud of their achievements and for an excellent reason: they have a 70 percent success rate in the long-term control of childhood obesity. It is the formula that they used so successfully in a clinical setting that they have now adapted for home use and are describing in this book. The book is divided in two major parts. The first emphasizes the elements that are necessary for success once the decision to help a child lose weight has been reached. This is a well thought out section of the book. It is well written in a language that can be easily understood by parents who want to help their child. The authors have not however compromised unduly and the six chapters of this part of the book are sound and well rooted in the contemporary clinical and basic science. They begin by defining what is childhood obesity and the elements of the Trim Kids program. This is followed by a discussion of the factors to consider to prepare for the program and to begin. Subsequently there are three chapters dealing with the key ingredients of the program: foods with an emphasis on "fulfilling foods", physical activity, and behavioral and lifestyle changes. All three chapters are central to the approach proposed by Sothern, von Almen and Schumacher. They are concise and practical but yet thoughtful chapters. Throughout these chapters, a key concept is that parents should not become insensitive to the excess weight of a child because of the belief that the child will grow out it. Indeed, large-scale studies have shown that childhood obesity is one of the most powerful risk factor for adulthood obesity. Thus many obese children become obese adults. The time to help is therefore during the growing years with the strong support of the parents and the other family members. The second part describes the Trim Kids 12-week program. A chapter is devoted to every week of the program. Goals are defined, advice on nutrition, physical activity and overall behavior changes are given, and practical tips are offered to parents and kids as well. The considerable hands on experience of the authors in working with obese children is evident throughout these chapters. They contain a wealth of useful information for parents and the team of therapists alike. As is emphasized in the book, the 12-week program is but only the first phase on the road to achieve a more healthy body weight for an obese child. In general, it is necessary to remain in the program for about a year before reaching this goal. In the more severe forms of childhood obesity, it may take as much as two years. But for those who have succeeded and have become normal weight, it is readily understood that a lifetime commitment to their new lifestyle is a necessity for them to remain healthy with a normal body weight. It also has not escaped the attention of the authors that the Trim Kids principles and overall approach have considerable implications for the prevention of undesirable weight gain during the growing years. Parents with an obese child who would like to help her or him live a happier and healthier life would do well if they first consult Trim Kids. I recommend it highly to them.