Within the last 10 years childhood obesity has increased by 54 percent. Children today are constantly snacking on junk food, juice and soda and are participating in fewer physical activities. Extreme obesity can take 20 to 30 years off of your life. There are a few things that parents can do to help prevent their children from becoming obese.
- Don’t force your child to finish every bottle or every meal. Respect their appetite.
- Avoid pre-prepared and sugared foods when possible.
- Reduce the amount of high-calorie foods found in the home.
- Give your child a healthy diet, with 30 percent or fewer calories that come from fat.
- Make sure your child has enough fiber in their diet.
- Replace whole milk with skim milk at 2 years of age.
- Don’t give your child food for comfort or as a reward.
- Don’t bribe your child with treats in exchange for finishing their meal.
- Limit the amount of time they spend in front of the T.V.
- Encourage them to get outside and play.
- Have regular family activities, such as walks, ball games and other outdoor activities.
- Limit your children to one glass max. of real fruit juice per day. Give them more milk.
- Limit how much soda they drink (size and frequency) to maybe one a week.
- Increase the number of fruits and vegetables your child has. Start with small portions.
- When you eat out don’t eat a lot. Share meals with your children at restaurants.
- Don’t let your children constantly graze.
- Start when your child is young.
Helping and regulating what your children eat will help them in the long run. They may not appreciate it up front, but it’ll help lower their chances for obesity and help them live a longer, healthier life.
Note: This information is from notes taken during a Parenting class taken in 2006 as well as from my own personal and thoughts and experiences.
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