Obesity Prevention
Does My Child Need a Heart Health Check?
Most children should have their blood pressure checked at least once during primary and high school. If your child has obesity, they should have it checked at every visit. This isn’t meant to alarm you. It’s the advice from Australia’s first national guideline for paediatric hypertension, which many families are not yet aware of. Key…
Should Your Child Have a Smartphone Yet?
Your child insists that everyone else already has a phone. You’ve managed to wait, but now the pressure is getting to you, and you’re starting to wonder if you’re being unreasonable. The truth is, there isn’t one right age. However, a major new study has given parents something more helpful than a specific number: it…
Why Fatty Liver in Children Often Goes Unnoticed
A scale can tell you your child’s weight, but it can’t reveal if their liver has too much fat. This can happen in children with obesity due to a condition called MASLD. It’s the most common chronic liver disease in kids, but most parents haven’t heard of it. Key takeaways Fatty liver disease in children,…
GLP-1 Weight Loss Drugs for Kids: What Australian Parents Should Know
GLP-1 medications, such as semaglutide (Wegovy) are TGA-approved for some adolescents aged 12 and over in Australia, but they are not subsidised for young people; they are never a first step, and whether one is right for your child is a decision only your child’s doctor, preferably a paediatric endocrinologist, can make with you. If…
How Much Salt Is Too Much for Kids?
Nearly three out of four Australian children eat more salt than recommended, and most parents aren’t aware of it. The main issue isn’t the salt shaker, but the everyday foods we serve. Key takeaways: Children have much lower daily sodium limits than adults, and most Australian kids are already exceeding them. Around 75% of the…
What Stress Does to Your Child’s Body (and What Helps)
You’re doing all the right things. The lunchbox is packed, the screen time is limited, and you’ve signed them up for sports. But if your child is carrying a lot of stress, their body may be working against all of that effort in ways that are easy to miss. When children experience ongoing stress, their…
You Are Not to Blame: Childhood Obesity and Parenting
Have you ever left a doctor’s appointment feeling like you were to blame? Or stayed quiet at a family gathering when someone commented on what your child was eating? If you’ve ever felt ashamed, blamed, or judged because of your child’s weight, this message is for you. Childhood obesity is not…
Quick & Fun Family Activities for Healthy Hearts
February is a great month to try heart-healthy activities with your kids. You don’t need formal exercise to support heart health. Simple things like dancing in the living room, riding a scooter after dinner, or playing a game at the park can get everyone moving and having fun. Key takeaways 10 to 20 minutes of…
What to Do if You’re Worried About Your Child’s Weight in 2026
It can feel awful when a small worry starts to grow. Maybe your child’s school shirts are getting tight, they get out of breath walking up a hill, or a health professional has brought up their BMI. You don’t want to ignore it, but you also don’t want to hurt their feelings or cause lasting…
Reflecting on Family Health Goals: Wins & Next Year’s Plan
As the year wraps up, pause to think about your family’s health goals. Notice what’s working well for your family right now and appreciate those wins. This article will help you look back on the year, celebrate what went well for your family’s health, spot habits that aren’t helping, and set realistic goals for food,…
How to Make Explaining Diabetes to Kids Easy & Meaningful
Diabetes isn’t just something adults need to worry about anymore. More kids are being affected either through family, friends, or their own health. That’s why it’s worth having simple, honest conversations with kids to help them understand what diabetes is and how they can stay healthy. Children often understand more than we expect. Why it…
How Childhood Obesity Affects Kids’ Mental Health
The hardest part for kids living with obesity isn’t their weight, it’s how others treat them because of it. While we often think about food choices, exercise, and physical health when we talk about childhood obesity, there’s another side that needs just as much attention: the children’s mental health. The link between obesity, bullying &…