| Childhood obesity has become a major health | | | | diet. It is better that children begin to |
| epidemic, with approximately 15% of children | | | | moderate unhealthy choices, eat smaller |
| considered to be obese the world over. The | | | | portion sizes, and begin moderate exercise |
| main reason for the childhood obesity | | | | three to four days a week for 30-45 minutes, |
| epidemic is a shift in eating habits, away | | | | building on this over a longer period rather |
| from fresh food, whole grains and vegetables | | | | than staging a crash course diet. |
| to convenience food high in fat, sugar and | | | | |
| additives. Another major factor is a decline | | | | The main parenting strategies include |
| in activity for both children and adults, who | | | | encouraging children to gradually change |
| now spend more time in sedentary activities | | | | their (1) eating habits towards |
| like watching TV and playing computer games | | | | well-balanced, healthy, varieties of freshly |
| that participating in exercise. In addition, | | | | cooked and nutritious foods, with plenty of |
| children who have obese or overweight parents | | | | fresh fruit and vegetables, and introducing |
| have a high risk of becoming obese themselves | | | | more healthy recipes and nutritious lunch box |
| as a result of poor family eating habits and | | | | ideas; (2) to become more active, and (3) to |
| unhealthy food choices. Parents today are | | | | monitor their own progress and weight loss - |
| spending less time with their kids and giving | | | | until they are able to achieve and maintain a |
| less parental advice about healthy food and | | | | healthy weight. It is often easier to |
| activity choices. In the USA, UK and | | | | facilitate a change in habits for children |
| Australia 25% of children are considered | | | | compared to adults. Importantly, parents need |
| overweight or obese. The health risks | | | | to talk to their kids and provide healthy |
| associated with obesity in childhood are | | | | choices at home, a range of activity and |
| great including low self esteem, depression, | | | | exercise options, and healthy lunch box |
| hormonal imbalances, diabetes and joint | | | | offerings for school. |
| problems. Worse still, the obese child who | | | | |
| remains overweight into adulthood has the | | | | For parents needing support, internet |
| potential to develop more serious health | | | | Parent's Forums and Parenting Blogs offer |
| risks later in their life, including | | | | support and community exchange of ideas and |
| arthritis, stroke and heart attack, high | | | | tips to help address issues relating to |
| blood pressure, diabetes, and bowel cancer. | | | | childhood obesity. Other advice includes |
| | | | getting kids involved in shopping and meal |
| Fast food marketing giants spending billions | | | | preparation to help teach them better |
| of dollars in advertising to target children | | | | nutrition and food choice, and assigning |
| and teens, selling them cheap and | | | | chores as another way to get kids up and |
| high-calorie low nutrition value foods, such | | | | active. Avoid stocking high-fat, high-sugar |
| as crisps, soft drink, hamburgers and | | | | snacks in the home; provide fruit and healthy |
| confectionery, coupled with lack of control | | | | alternatives like fat free pretzels and |
| of parents, is the major cause of incorrect | | | | popcorn. Dilute fruit juice and avoid soft |
| eating habits and childhood obesity. Research | | | | drinks, water is always best. Try to make |
| shows that even drinking soft drink or soda | | | | good choices when going out for dinner, and |
| regularly increases a child's chance of | | | | avoid using food as a reward/comfort. |
| becoming overweight or obese by 60%. | | | | Instead, give kids the attention they deserve |
| Compounding this, even moderate exercise is | | | | by listening, providing encouraging words and |
| no longer a regular daily activity for | | | | hugs and treating the family out to the |
| children and teens. Most children do not play | | | | cinema or local bowling alley to celebrate |
| any sport or even walk or cycle to school. | | | | small successes. |
| Busy parents also have less time than ever to | | | | |
| supervise their children and take them out to | | | | Physical inactivity includes pastimes such as |
| play in local parks or on the street. A fear | | | | watching TV or playing computer games, should |
| of stranger danger and abduction has added to | | | | be reduced to no more than two hours a day. |
| the value of allowing kids to watch TV or | | | | Gradual increase in physical activity, such |
| play computer games rather than be outside | | | | as walking, bike riding, swimming, dancing |
| without parental supervision. | | | | and ball sports is suggested three to four |
| | | | times a week to begin. Importantly, remember |
| In relation to childhood obesity prevention, | | | | the time you spend together as a family being |
| Doctors and Nutritionists recommend that most | | | | active is also a great way to reconnect and |
| overweight children should be encouraged to | | | | bond and should be a fun experience for |
| lose weight through long lasting positive | | | | all… a new fitness plan can mean a |
| lifestyle changes in eating habits and | | | | whole lot more than simply losing weight! |
| activity, rather than be put on a weight-loss | | | | |