I Don't Want My Son to Think His Body Is the Problem

My 10-year-old son has obesity, and I've been struggling with how to help him without making him feel ashamed of himself. The more I think about it, the more I realize I don't want to tell him he's "going on a diet." I worry that those words could make him feel like food is a punishment or that something is wrong with who he is. Instead, I want our whole family to make healthier choices together. That means cooking more balanced meals, keeping healthier snacks at home, and finding fun ways to be active instead of treating exercise like a chore. I'm also trying to keep the conversation focused on health. I'd rather talk about having more energy, getting stronger, sleeping better, and feeling good than about numbers on a scale or how his body looks. We'll also be working with his pediatrician to make sure we're supporting his growth in a healthy way. More than anything, I want him to grow up with a positive relationship with food, not one built on guilt or fear.