Childhood Obesity: South Beach Diet for Families

The South Beach Diet was not written for children. Therefore, all young people under the age of 18 should be seen by their physician for weight management. If children still have open growth plates and are still gaining in height, they may not actually need to lose weight in order to slim down. Their BMI will drop simply by keeping their weight the same while they grow in height. So a doctor will need to be involved in setting weight goals.

That said, the South Beach Diet may be tolerated just fine and is a well-balanced way to lose weight. It is especially helpful for family members who are at risk to develop diabetes or heart disease. If a family finds it palatable and doesn't mind all the meal preparation, it is a sensible and safe diet for most people. The strict phase in the first two weeks that usually results in rapid weight loss may need to be modified for children.