WHAT'S NEW? 

12/28/08:  The Kids Helping Kids Area has been upgraded so that you may select a topic and and age range and instantly view all especially helpful replies and posts from kids on such things as teasing, emotional eating, weight loss tips, and many others.  We are continually adding new replies and posts to that area.

12/22/08: We now have new Comfort Eating board and an "18 Plus" board for older teens and early twenties. We will be creating several other new boards suggested by kids, such as a board on Clothing and Fashion.  If you have an idea for a new board, please send it to Lucy.  Stay tuned for further updates...

12/05/08: The bulletin boards on our site have been upgraded, such that all 38,000 previous posts and 100,000 replies may now be viewed.  Plus, you can search among all the previous posts and replies for tips, etc.

8/1/08:  A letter to the editor of Pediatrics on Overweight and Obesity in Childhood by Robert Pretlow, MD, director of this site, was published in the August 2008 issue.  There is a reply to the letter by Jenifer Bowdoin, MS, University of Massachusetts, School of Public Health.  Dr. Pretlow has also written a book about what kids say on this site, entitled: Overweight: What kids say, and what's really causing the childhood obesity epidemic.  For information on the book, please email:

3/2/08:  Several areas the School Area on our site have new stuff, including videos: Exercise Anyone,  Dancing, and How Do I Lose Weight?

12/10/07:  In what is believed to be the first meeting of its kind, Yale University convened nearly 40 experts on nutrition, obesity, and addiction to discuss the controversial topic of food and addiction.  Click here to read about it.  We believe this is what is causing overweight and obesity.  We will be expanding the Comfort Eating area on our site, with many images and new videos.

11/1/07:  A committee of medical experts has recommended that the terms to describe hefty kids be changed.  Previously, kids 85th to 95th BMI percentile were called "at risk for overweight" and above 95th percentile were called "overweight".  Under the new recommendations these terms will be changed to "overweight" and "obese", respectively.  The new terms for kids will now be the same as the terms used to describe hefty adults.  Our weight calculator has been changed to meet the new recommendations.

8/16/07:  We have changed the name of our WeighCool program to Weigh2Rock!  The Weigh2Rock! program allows teens and preteens to self-monitor their weight, while receiving online support and guidance from their doctor, school nurse, PE teacher, dietitian, counselor, or other mentor.  For info go to Weigh2Rock program.

4/21/07:  The My Story Area is now much better. You may now upload your own story and your photos or other images, and select your colors.   If you have ideas for this area please send them to Lucy. Thanks a lot.

2/3/07:  Books, programs, and equipment - The School Area has a new section on "Helpful Books, Programs, and Equipment" for weight control, with recommendations from kids who use this site.  If you have a recommendation or an idea for this section please send them to Lucy. Thanks a lot.

Weight Management Headlines (Intelihealth.com)

If you know of any breaking news about being overweight, please email them to and we will post it here.  Thanks a lot.