Having a child with a weight problem needs perseverance and patience. An overweight child will typically not achieve their healthy weight range in anything less than six months and an obese child may be looking at several years before they get there.

In New Zealand you'll soon find the Weight Watchers logo on McDonald's menu boards and tray mats, a great irony considering the many warnings about the obesity-inducing effects of fast food in general with its greasy offerings that are notoriously high in saturated fat, high in salt and lacking vegetables or fibre.

Losing weight is never easy. It takes time, patience and know-how. Food and exercise aside, there are things you can do to make it easier for you to get into a 'weight loss mode'.  Some are simply bad habits; others are how you view your world.  If you can adopt these 7 simple diet secrets, you're on the way to better eating habits and a healthier shape.