Tips on Dealing With Child Obesity |
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Obesity is a growing problem among Americans, with numerous adverse health effects. Perhaps the most troubling aspect of what has been coined the obesity epidemic is the prevalence of obesity among children. For these younger members of our society, behaviors can still be changed in a positive way that can result in recovery and a return to healthiness. The changes may be less drastic than many children or their parents think.
As nutritionists have been instructing us for years, a healthy day starts with breakfast. For two examples, see this healthy breakfast and that healthy breakfast. Giving children a nutritionally complete and filling breakfast is key in several ways. It will fuel them for their coming day, make them more alert and focus in school, and can keep them feeling full and content for much longer than an inadequate breakfast. Replace sugar-intensive cereals with ones that have minimal sugar. Work in some fruit, either by itself or sliced into their cereal. Restrict juices to natural ones with no sugar added. Above all, avoid fried pastries that are low in nutritional value and high in calories and fats.
Keep your children hydrated - with water. While drinking water can be used to lose weight, this may be more of a preventative measure for your child. As simple as this sounds, thirst can often be confused in the brain with hunger. This problem is made worse when children turn to sugary sodas and juice drinks instead of water, milk, and natural juices.
Encourage your children to take an active role in preparing food. One of the largest contributors to obesity is fast food and ready-to-eat foods, which almost always contain higher fat ingredients than you can choose to cook with in your home. Encouraging children from a young age to cook their own meals can have lasting health affects.
Allow plenty of time for meals. We do live in a fast-paced society, so this can be difficult. It is quite important, though, as eating too quickly is the easiest way to overeat. When we eat rapidly, our brain cannot react quickly enough to tell us that we are full, causing overeating. Have as many sit-down meals as possible.
Introduce your children to a wide variety of foods, including lots of fruits and vegetables. Consuming lots of fresh produce is a great way to promote healthy eating, and giving your kids variety increases the chances of them finding produce that they truly enjoy eating. A varied diet also has the benefit of a wide variety of nutrients, which is essential to healthy development.
Implementing just one or two of these guidelines can have a significant and lasting affect on the health of your child. While they may struggle with some of the changes initially, your attitude as a parent will largely determine their long-term success.
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PropellerNext: More Child Obestity and some Links
September 26th, 2008 at 1:50 pm
You have some interesting tips here. Being a fat child, I think nutritionally dense foods is the most important thing ever. These days there are so many sugar-coated cereals out there, that a kid can gain weight even if he thinks he’s being healthy. I think its the parents responsibility to really institute these changes early on. Also, it helps if the parent is health concious. When I have kids, no junk food in the house!