Honey We're Killing the Kids (TLC)

In TLC's lifestyle-makeover reality show HONEY WE'RE KILLING THE KIDS, parents learn that they may be putting their children at risk for future health problems because of choices they're making today. In a format similar to Nanny 911, families get new rules intended to improve their lifestyle and their chances for the future. Parents see computer-generated time-lapse photos of their children as they might age, given their current lifestyle and body measurements. The results aren't pretty: Kids turn into overweight, dull-skinned 40-year-olds before their parents' eyes. With three weeks to make some serious changes, parents and kids meet weekly with a fitness/nutrition expert to learn new household rules and receive helpful handbooks. While the weeks can seem like torture to the kids -- one even threatens to run away when his TV is taken out of his room -- in the end, serious progress is made. With less sugar in their diet, kids' behavior improves; less access to TV and video games helps them become more active; and time spent around the dinner table helps unite families.

Honey We're Killing the Kids has all the annoying elements of a reality show: constant replaying of dramatic moments, meetings in an eerie gothic mansion, editing that may not tell the whole story, and a pat ending. But like Nanny 911 and Supernanny, the show aims to help real families who struggle with real problems. And to this end, the show does a good job promoting healthy ideas while staying away from labeling kids as "fat" or "lazy."

TV Rating: TV-G
Network: TLC
Cast: Max Beesley
Genre: Reality TV
Where to watch: TLC