In many cases, overweight and obesity in children constitute a grim warning for future health: if no action is taken, an overweight or obese child is likely to grow into an overweight or obese adult with a series of chronic health problems – among them, type 2 diabetes. Indeed, obesity-related health conditions, including the metabolic syndrome – a strong risk factor for cardiovascular diseases – are increasingly prevalent among children around the world. There is a clear need to address body weight from an early age, not as part of an obsession with aesthetics, but with a view to protecting current and future health and well-being. Viviana Viviant offers some practical strategies for parents, carers and their healthcare providers to promote a healthy lifestyle from the earliest years.