Convincing Your Child that He's Not Hungry Anymore

Binge eating is as much of a problem for children as it is for many adults, only that the consequences pose much more of a threat to a child's developing body. Aside from the mental and emotional effects of child obesity, parents also have to worry about children's increased risk of premature death from diabetes and high blood pressure.

One way to help your kid overcome any eating disorder is to set a good example. Children are quick to mimic what their parents are doing, after all. Instead of heading to the fridge for a gallon of ice cream after a hearty meal, get up and maybe go for a nice stroll around your neighborhood.

Don't use food as a reward or punishment. Kids will only ever do things for the prospect of getting the chance to eat something nice, which probably isn't something healthy like veggies anyway. What's worse is that when they fail to get this reward, their depression just might cause them to crave even more food.

Finally, establish a clear eating schedule—preferably with some advice from the pediatrician—and make sure that it's strictly enforced. This will keep your kid from thinking about snacking whenever the mood strikes them. They might even stick to this schedule when they're all grown up.