Maggie Goes on a Diet…I Hope Not.

Changing the conversation from dieting to improving lifestyle behaviors has been a work in progress and an uphill battle for those of us in the nutrition field. And despite the world of child obesity research and evidence at our fingertips, a children’s book is about to plant the concept of dieting on the nation’s youngest minds.

Maggie Goes on a Diet, a new children’s book published by author Paul Kramer set to debut in October, dares to grab your child’s attention with its title and premise: that your child can change his life, for the better, just by losing weight…and become more popular and an accomplished athlete in the process.

I haven’t read this book yet, but I will. I have read the columns about it’s impending release as well as the grumblings and outrage amongst professionals in the eating disorder and obesity communities.

Perhaps the title is just a thoughtless choice of words. The words “goes on a diet” conjures images of salad eating, dessert dodging and excessive exercise escapades soaring through the minds of professionals and parents alike.

Diets don’t work.

Just google that phrase and you’ll get a load of books, websites and blogs devoted to “ending the diet mentality.” Alongside the “diets don’t work” industry is the countersuit of websites, blogs and books devoted to the dieting industry. And it’s no surprise that the dieting industry is a billion dollar industry–diets don’t work in the sense of lasting effects– but Americans keep looking for that magic pill, no matter what the cost.

For me, Maggie Goes on a Diet symbolizes the next target for the diet industry: children. Alarming? Yes. It’s books like this that makes “dieting” a household word.

Will this book be to blame? Not singularly, but it sure does add to the mix of influential lures and lack of nutrition savviness plagued by our youth.

Even if this book sends a positive message on the inside, the outside cover will make a lasting impression:

That being big is bad.

That being thin is in.

That to mean something in the world, you need to be slender, athletic and popular.

At a minimum, I hope that parents screen this book just as they would a questionable movie, website or new friend.

As for Maggie, I hope you have parents who guide you to a life of healthy eating, fun and balanced exercise, appreciation for your body and all that it can do, an inner peace and self-awareness of your talents and skills and a positive self-esteem.

That’s a list that no diet can accomplish.