Five simple rules for family weight loss

ANAHEIM, Calif., May 4 (UPI) -- A U.S. weight control program's family plan helped children lose weight and keep it off, researchers said.

Researchers reported at the Experimental Biology meeting held in Anaheim, Calif., 67 percent of the children enrolled in the Weight Watchers family-role modeling program improved their weight status one year after the program ended. The children showed continual and progressive improvement in weight status at each checkpoint

The program asked parents of more than 100 overweight or obese children ages 7 to 12 to attend one-hour sessions led by a Weight Watchers coach trained to help families create healthy habits.

The program did not provide a structured diet but centered on the families implementing five simple rules that included regulating time devoted to watching, texting and other non-homework uses of "screen" time.

The five rules were:

-- Focus on wholesome, nutritious foods.

-- Include treats in moderation.

-- Two hours or less of screen time daily.

-- One hour or more of physical activity daily.

-- Have rules apply to everyone in the home.