My son is 12 years old. It seems it has been a constant struggel with his weight. I have tried to help him with many diets, low fat, exercise ect...but he always ended up quitting. For the past 3 months he has been on the Atkins diet with me. He is perfectly happy with it. He has lost 40 pounds. I allow him all the fruit and veggies he wants...just no sugars or processed grains. His brain function seems just fine..he has maintained his grades in school, but amazingly, he has more energy from week one, plays outside, doesnt sleep late..ect...So nobody can tell me that being 50 pounds overweight is better than allowing your child to do the Atkins diet. I have found, that most people who argue agaisnt low carb dieting, are people who are connected to another diet in some way, or overweight people who are looking for an excuse for not wanting to diet. So if you dont want to diet, ok...but dont knock those that do to make yourself feel better.