Your Child Is Not Their Weight: Parenting in a Size-Obsessed World

by Joey Skelton MD MS FAAP

240 pages, Paperback

Published March 17, 2026

Reviews

[Bethany Hanson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book for parents, regardless of their child’s weight, to help promote healthy behaviors for children & the whole family. I appreciated the discussion of different parenting styles & found value in the ‘ideas to actions’ sections which provide tangible steps to take. Throughout the book & especially in the second half, the focus was less of what to eat /what to do for activity and more on how to eat & more on active as a family, along with building healthy routines and communication.

[Laura Shirazi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well-written and easy to read; full of suggestions and recommendations that fit into everyday life; includes real-life scenarios that make it relatable. I would highly recommend this book for parents who are struggling with how to encourage their children to eat healthier without seeming overbearing.

[Callie Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an incredible resource for parents with kids of all ages. The focus is on developing an appreciation for food without guilt and enjoying family mealtimes together. In a world where appearance is so often the emphasis, Dr. Skelton prioritizes evidence-based care over stigma and shame. The book clearly explains why weight-centric approaches can backfire and instead focuses on sustainable health behaviors, family-based support, and building resilience and self-esteem in children of all body sizes. Practical, empathetic, and grounded in clinical experience, it offers parents and clinicians a hopeful, actionable roadmap for supporting children’s health without harming their relationship with food or their bodies.

[Larisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot recommend this book highly enough. It really provided a lot of information in a very accessible way. The ideas were easy to put into practice. I particularly like that it focuses on the family as a unit that functions together, as opposed to the "issue" being with a single person. It helped my family not only have easier and healthier mealtimes, but I've also been applying the ideas in other areas of parenting with much success!

[Parissa Ballard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This books is so helpful! As a parent of 4 young kids, I appreciate how the authors understand that all kids are different, and may need different things within one family. The book offers a lot of practical tips and tools without judgement.

[Krystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very eye-opening!