How To Prevent Obesity In Children

There seems to be an obesity epidemic in America. Children are becoming obese at early ages. Children are experiencing diabetes at earlier ages. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention,
“An estimated 17% percent of children and adolescents ages 2-19 years are obese.” This study was taken from the 2007-2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination and Survey. Eating habits are so important. This is just a few statistics on obesity, but just as is important is to note whether you are allowing children to eat a lot of junk foods such as cakes, ice cream, potato chips, and candy. Are you allowing children to eat a lot of starches? Foods such as spaghetti can provide energy for your children, but too much of anything is just not good for you.

Are you showing children healthy choices, by using yourself as an example? Remember children tend to do what they see you do, rather than what you say. Are you snacking on vegetables and fruits? If not, why aren’t you? You may have to experiment to see which ones you like best. You and your children will need to find which vegetables and fruits work for you.

You can prevent childhood obesity by exercising. Walking, gymnastics, bike riding, swimming, dancing or doing something physical to burn the calories is a great start. Is it becoming a habit,? Is it becoming part of your lifestyle? Eating is something children can have control over. If eating becomes a habit and a lifestyle for children, that will be a plus for them.

Are you enabling children? Are you giving them any and everything that they want to eat, when they want it? Are you cooking a lot of cakes pies, sweets, and other fattening foods? If your answer is yes to any of these, consider you are making it so tempting for children to overeat. STOP IT. Why not help children to make healthy choices, by not always getting fast foods such as McDonalds, Burger King, or Taco Bell on a daily basis. Remember, you may occasionally eat fast foods, but too much of anything is not good for you.

Why not take time to plan and prepare healthy meals? This is just another measure to prevent obesity in children. Do you think about giving correct portions of foods? Do you allow children to help with food preparation and use this time to explain about calories and caloric intake and burning? I remember watching a television program where a 5-year-old weighed 200 pounds. Now that is just too much weight. What about portions? Learn the correct portions of food. I have discovered that what one person considers small may be large to another. So find out what the correct serving size should be. It is true that you are what you eat. Do not always use food as a reward, even though it can be quite pleasurable. Okay, maybe you want a milkshake or banana split occasionally , but do all in moderation..

Are you reading the labels, and encouraging children to be conscious of reading the labels? Most of the time the first item listed on the label will contain the highest content in that package. Sugar is a great attribution to obesity. So beware of sugar content in products.

Note:

1. You do not have to be a scale watcher, but do keep a set of scales in your house and use them.

2. When eating you, you can still make healthy choices. Your are not obligated to pick fatty foods. Salads can be a good choices.

3. Italian Gardens, Redwood Lodge, are just a few Restaurants that have healthy choices on their menus.

4. If you can plant a garden, that is great. You will then be assured to have fresh vegetables and fruits. You can be proud that the produce comes from your garden.

5. Practice saying “NO” to unhealthy foods. Make healthy eating habits.

6. Remember it is never to late to change your lifestyle.

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