No More Fat Kids, A Pediatrician’s Guide for Safe and Effective Weight Loss. 

A Pediatrician’s Guide for Safe and Effective Weight Loss
James R. Bailes, MD, Marshall University

Reviewed by
Lisa Long, PharmD. Candidate 2008, University of Florida

I read Dr. James R. Bailes’ new book No More Fat Kids, A Pediatrician’s Guide for Safe and Effective Weight Loss.  Dr. Bailes is a pediatrician specializing in childhood obesity.  This book addresses the increasing incidence of obesity in children in the United States.  

Childhood obesity has grown dramatically over the last decade from 15% to 20% and more than one out of every five children are obese. 

Dr. Bailes believes that our increased sedentary lifestyle and our erroneous belief that fat free foods high in carbohydrates will help us lose weight have contributed to the obesity epidemic.  Since 1977 when the US Dept. of Public Health encouraged Americans to eat less fat, our food industry quickly responded with fat free alternatives, but despite this change, obesity continues to increase. 

Dr. Bailes continued to believe this fat-free fallacy himself until the late 1990s when the  results from a research project conducted by Dr. Steven Fafinski reveled that a low fat diet only works for 1 out of 25 children.  The remaining children continued to gain weight at the same rate or faster than before the low fat diet was implemented. 

Around this same time, Lewis Spangler a 3rd year medical student suggested a high protein, low carbohydrate diet may be the answer to this growing problem.  His theory goes against every thing we have ever been told regarding fat and cholesterol. 

Dr. Bailes was skeptical, but he decided to test the hypothesis.  He discovered there was no research showing that a high fat, high protein, low carbohydrate diet would have positive effects in children.  After years of his research, it was discovered that the high protein, high fat, low carbohydrate diet was actually was safe and effective in helping children lose weight.  The book goes into detail explaining the theory behind these exciting findings and explains how to implement this lifestyle change. 

There are also personal stories of many children that have benefited from this dietary overhaul.  The book also includes exercises that are age appropriate and explained in detail, as well as a wide variety of recipes for high protein, high fat, low carbohydrate dishes.

I found this book very interesting.  I’m the mother of 6 year old girl, who fortunately does not have weight problem.  Although, as I read this book, I tried to place myself in the shoes of a mother of an obese child.  I discovered that I would want to try the dietary changes that are details in his book for my child.  I realized that implementing these changes would not be easy and the willingness of my child to participate would be paramount in the success of this lifestyle change.  Not only does the parent need to be very diligent in preparing appropriate meals and snacks for their child but, the child also needs to be in full agreement to make it work.   

If you want to order a copy of Dr. Bailes’ book click here