Children's health may not begin with kids' eating habits, but with those of their parents. That is the finding of researchers into obesity. According to the U.S. surgeon general, having an overweight or obese parent raises an overweight teenagers' risk for adult weight problems by 10 percent, to an 80 percent chance. Parents model poor or healthy eating habits, and some children will naturally make the same choices. Sharing a good diet together is the best way to ensure long and healthy lives.
History
Thanks to readily available fast-food and sugary snacks, American eating habits have declined simultaneously with an increase in sedentary behavior. The combination pushed the obesity rate for children from 6.5 percent in 1980 to 17 percent in 2006. Adult prevalence is even higher, at over 30 percent as of 2008. The Centers for Disease Control tracks these statistics and reports that the rising trend is a serious threat to children's health.
Features
To reverse this trend, parents can institute good diet guidelines at home and when eating out. Meals planned around the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Pyramid can provide full nutrition while staying within healthy calorie ranges. The USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans suggest limiting fat, sugar and salt and eating more whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Eating out should include choices to reduce detrimental ingredients and emphasize vitamins and minerals.
Misconceptions
Skipping meals to lose weight isn't good dietary practice. Parents should insist on breakfast---for everyone, especially kids. Instituting a rigid meal plan can backfire, though. Requiring kids to cut out all sugar or reserving sweets as rewards for good behavior can disrupt healthy eating habits by encouraging cheating or making unhealthy substitutes for sugar. Choosing fruit over fries and getting a sandwich loaded with veggies are healthy eating habits that make the occasional indulgence OK.
Significance
Children's health problems can stem from the weight gain and malnutrition brought on by poor eating habits, and these can persist into adulthood. Some cancers and complications from heart disease and type 2 diabetes are associated with carrying extra weight for long periods of time. An attendant drop in self-esteem may lead to depression and a reduced quality of life. Conversely, a good diet plus daily exercise promotes physical and mental health.
Considerations
Healthy eating habits can be modeled to picky eaters in the family, especially to toddlers, who readily mimic behavior. By allowing choices from a variety of healthy foods, kids can take charge and may forget their food biases. Parents who place a priority on children's health must set and follow sound nutritional guidelines themselves.
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