Five days a week, millions of Americans turn on Dr. Oz, the TV doctor who gives timely advice on almost any medical topic one can imagine.  On March 1^st his guest was Colleen Williams, a 31 year-old woman who weighs more than 700 lbs.  She shed tears as she told her story about growing up as an overweight child who became morbidly obese and graduated high school weighing more than 500 lbs.  Since high school she continued eating to reach her current weight.

Dr. Oz spoke to her mother, whose comments were so similar to those I hear all the time. She said, “Being overweight runs in our family; I feel responsible and guilty about Colleen.” At this point Colleen’s health is severely threatened by her obesity. Her mother also said, “I should have said no!”

The question that begs to be answered by Colleen’s Mom and other parents of overweight children is: why don’t they say no?  Why do they continue to bring the unhealthy high caloric foods into the house?  Why do they pack lunches with snacks full of empty calories and juice drinks full of sugar?  Why don’t they provide their children with healthy meals?

These are complex questions with complex answers. However, the power to say no to things that are unhealthy for your children is strong and simple.  The next time your kids ask to eat or drink something that is not healthy for them, just say no.