There is a silent epidemic spreading throughout America. It is insidious and ravaging, and its victims are the nation's children. What is it? Obesity in children has emerged as a serious threat to the nation's health.

Dr. Mary Ellen Renna, a board-certified pediatrician and a physician nutritionist, is on a mission to reverse this trend. To combat obesity in children, she has developed a family-based nutrition and fitness program designed to educate children from infancy through adolescence.

Following are some do's and don'ts from her program, "Next Generation Fitness with Mary Ellen Renna, M.D."

-- Do plan meals every week to keep track of what is being eating.

-- Do incorporate foods that the whole family is comfortable with. There are healthy alternatives for nearly every kid-favorite food.

-- Do eat fruits, vegetables, protein, grains, nuts and dairy daily. This will keep children full and less likely to turn to foods with empty calories.

-- Do involve the whole family in meal planning, exercise and family outings. The whole family's involvement will ensure success.

-- Do get children to exercise at least three times per week, 60 minutes per day -- which can be broken up into six times each day for about 10 to 15 minutes.

-- Don't ever skip a meal. Skipping meals deprives the body of important nutrients and may cause overcompensation by eating empty calories later.

-- Don't completely eliminate the foods children are used to eating. Instead, try to make healthy versions.

-- Don't make deep-fried foods a part of the diet. Replace these with foods that have been sauteed, baked, roasted, broiled or grilled.

-- Don't expect children to participate in good nutrition and exercise without parents being good role models.

-- Don't rely on gym class or sports-team involvement to teach children lifelong exercise habits. Children need to learn to exercise without being a part of a sports team, and they need to get into the habit of an exercise routine.