The Centers for Disease Control reports that childhood obesity has increased over the years, and it is still on the incline. With about 6.5 percent of American children being obese in 1980, childhood obesity has nearly tripled to 19.6 percent in 2008. Parents have more control over their children's weight than they think. As the primary caregivers to their children, parents have a direct influence on the weight of their children.
Healthy Meals
Adults can make up their minds to lose weight and only shop for and prepare foods that fit their diet. Most children do not have a whole lot of say in what they have for breakfast, lunch and dinner. They eat what is provided for them. Take the time to shop for and prepare healthier meals for your children. Put more fresh fruits and vegetables into the refrigerator, and buy less junk food. If your children only have healthy foods to choose from, they have no choice but to eat healthy.
Teach Them About Nutrition
Help your children take charge of their own nutrition. Take them to the grocery store with you, and talk about the types of foods that are healthy as well as those that are unhealthy. Teach them about the balance between healthy foods and junk foods. Teach them about high-calorie meals and nutrient-dense meals. Raise your children to consider the health value of foods as they eat them, making them more likely to make health-conscious choices and maintain a healthy weight throughout their lives.
Encourage Physical Activity
The American Heart Association encourages parents to steer their children clear of weight problems by encouraging physical activity. Reduce the time they spend on the couch watching television or playing video games, and get outside. Signing them up for sports or scouts and encouraging them to play with neighborhood children can make a big impact on their level of physical activity.
Snacks and Beverages
Snacking and beverages can contribute to childhood obesity if not watched carefully. Replace cookies and candies with fresh fruits and vegetables. Replace regular soda with diet soda, or replace it altogether with fresh fruit juice or water. Many parents don't realize the unnecessary sugar and calories that get into their children's diet by way of snacks and beverages.
References
- American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry: Obesity in Children and Teens
- University of Michigan Health System; How Parents Can Fight Childhood Obesity; Sheila Gahagan, M.D.; October 2003
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Childhood Obesity
- American Heart Association: Physical Activity and Children
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