As we all know, childhood obesity is raging throughout our country and reaching around the world.

But there are bright spots out there. Jane Brody of the New York Times recently shared the story of “Weight Loss Confidential,” a study of how 104 overweight preteens and teenagers — 41 boys and 63 girls — lost significant amounts of weight and maintained their losses for two years or longer. The average loss was 58 pounds, with 26 of the participants having lost 75 pounds or more and 14 having lost 100 pounds or more.

The author of the study is Anne M. Fletcher, a registered dietitian from Mankato, Minn., who also wrote “Thin for Life,” a study of 100 adults who had lost 30 or more pounds and maintained their losses for three or more years.

Brody details the tactics the kids used to lose weight, including exercising, cutting back on high-fat foods, going on a diet and cutting out certain foods. All the kids restructured their eating habits.

Check out the full article and see what tips your can mesh into your own weight-loss plan. And find weight-loss and recovery resources on AnneMFletcher.com.

-- Amanda Barrett, amNY.com