Childhood obesity is a complex issue with no simple solutions, but involving the entire family in weight loss and health may help kids achieve their goals, a report finds.

A scientific statement released Monday in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Assn. reviews strategies shown to be successful in helping kids slim down. Some studies find that obese children can have symptoms normally associated with adult obesity, such as high blood pressure and cholesterol. Others suggest that overweight kids often turn into overweight adults.

Involving parents in weight loss efforts could go a long way in helping children change their behaviors, the authors said.

“In many cases, the adults in a family may be the most effective change agents to help obese children attain and maintain a healthier weight,” said Myles Faith, chairman of the American Heart Assn.’s  statement writing group, in a news release. “To do so, the adults may need to modify their own behavior and try some research-based strategies.”

Family involvement may help obese kids lose weight – latimes.com