A study conducted by the Stanford Center on Longevity shows that changes made to home environments result in weight loss for obese children.

According to Dr. Thomas Robinson, a professor in child health who served as the lead author of the study, 85 percent of the study participants reduced their weight by 10 percent or more after six months.

Drawing on the study’s findings, Robinson and his fellow researchers emphasized the importance of using smaller dishes and not eating while watching television to combat obesity.  They also encouraged participants to substitute junk food snacks with fruits and vegetables.

To qualify for the study, children had to be between eight and 12 years of age and qualify as obese according to standards set by the Center for Disease Control (CDC). One hundred sixty families participated in the study, which was hosted by Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital.

–Joshua Falk