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5 Minutes for Books — Fat Proof Your Family

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This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

This review is authored by regular contributor Jennifer Donovan, book lover and mother of two of book lovers, who blogs at Snapshot.

In Fat Proof Your Family: God’s Way to Forming Healthy Habits for Life, J. Ron Eaker challenges us as moms to give our families the best:

“My sense is that you bought this book because you are genuinely concerned about your family’s health. You wouldn’t be reading this if you weren’t ready to take action and see that the people you love the most adopt and maintain a healthy lifestyle. This book will be your coach, cheerleader, and partner in your quest for fitness (page 18).”

As you read this book, you will feel like you are being cheered on. Just as you begin to think that the task of lifelong fitness and health might be a bit overwhelming, you will come to a corny joke that will lighten your mood. However, the gravity of the facts presented about the sedentary lifestyle and poor nutrition that many families and children have adopted are incontrovertible:

  • 60% of Americans over twenty-five are overweight.
  • 78% of Americans do not meet the minimum activity level recommendations.
  • 42% of breast and colon cancer is diagnosed among overweight individuals.
  • 20% of children over age six are overweight.
  • Overweight adolescents have a 70% chance of being overweight adults.

In spite of the grim news about the epidemic of poor weight control, which is what Dr. Eaker calls the number-one health care problem, he writes in a friendly way that prevents the information from becoming too dry or discouraging. He also presents a balanced approach to health (for both adults and children) as opposed to a cosmetic weight-loss fix, as you can see in some of the chapters, which include:

  • Nutrition Basics
  • Food for the Soul–What the Bible Says about Healthy Eating
  • Children and Teens–Nutritional Specifics
  • Weight Loss
  • Exercise
  • The Goal–Achieving Wholeness and Wellness as a Family

I have long realized that my role as the maker of the meals and the buyer of the groceries has significant impact on my family. I can throw together a casserole made with a can of cream soup and some processed cheese, and they might eat it and enjoy it, but is it the wisest food choice? Dr. Eaker maintains that nothing happens in a vacuum, and so healthy living is more attainable when the whole family is involved. This really hit home with me. When I try to eat better for myself, I can often fail, but when I resolve to help my family eat healthier, that extra bit of motivation often helps me along.

How many times have the cookies that you bought for the kids sabotoged your diet? Well, they don’t need them either. How many times have you made excuses that you don’t have time to exercise because of your children? Get out and kick around a soccer ball with them to benefit all of you. We are helping them to form lifelong patterns of health and fitness, and it’s our responsibility to help train them right.

The publisher has donated a copy of this book for one of our readers. Leave a comment if you’d like to win.

I’m so glad that you all liked last week’s review and interview of Raising Respectful Children in a Disrespectful World so much. Those of you who didn’t win can always click over and purchase the title through our link. Next week I have another parenting book coming up which I think that everyone will be excited about as well.

Congratulations to last week’s winner: Karla Meachem at Empowering Christian Women

And don’t forget that you have until Thursday to sign up here to win one of ten Scanalizers from NeatReceipts.

by Jennifer Donovan
Snapshot

Reader Interactions


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52 Comments

  5. This is so right up our alley at my house – please enter me too! My hubby and I would both love to read this one.

    Reply

  12. Oh goodness! I know Ron, and Susan and their two daughters here in Augusta, GA. Their youngest daughter was one of my son’s first girl friends from preschool through kindergarten and at church. This is too cool.

    Ron knows his stuff. If you don’t win the book, buy the book. And he’s an avid, awesome runner. Love this small world!

    Reply

  15. Please enter me. I brought home my first child 2 months ago and this would be nice to have to start forming good habits now. Thanks!!

    Reply

  23. Sounds like a great book. I started using a pedometer and slowly working my way back into aerobics.

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  29. This sounds like a great book. I need somewhere to start from and this sounds like it could really help.

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  39. This book sounds like what I’ve been searching for. I’m trying hard to revamp our meals and life to make healthy choices the automatic choice for all of us.

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  42. This book sounds like it hits the nail on the nose. I’m all for healthy eating. I knew I accomplished something when we were at a wedding reception and my 4 year old told me she needed some “healthy food.”

    Reply

  44. I would love to enter this drawing. I would love this book! It would help my family (ME!) so much. As moms, we have a great responsibility to give our kids a good foundation in all things to prepare them for their adult life. It is sometimes overwhelming, if we think too hard about it and forget that God is in control. Thanks!

    Jenn in AZ

    Reply

  47. Statistics are scary! I always feel good about how well we eat – lots of fruits and veggies, but our exercise is lacking. Guess I need to get out and throw the frisbee and kick the ball around more (perhaps in the fall, when it’s cooler – there’s always an excuse 🙂

    Reply

  48. Scary statistics there. 🙁 Easy to see they’re accurate, though. Since starting Weight Watchers, I’ve really noticed the impact my meal planning has on us all. (Like you mentioned) I only want to be responsible for teaching my children good, healthy eating habits, not the vaule of junk food and comfort eating. (my problems)

    This book looks great. I’d love to be included! Thank you.

    Reply