Childhood Obesity Parents

Combating child obesity at home - The sooner a plan is put in place, the better; it is much easier to change habits in children than in adults.
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There is the need of developing proper public health plans to aware parents in recognizing and understanding changes in their children's weight, to include the family in prevention efforts, and to improve school-based childhood obesity prevention programs that include increasing physical education classes.

Being a pivotal mentor of a child, parents should control over what their children are eating. Always put healthy fruits, food and snacks available to your children. Minimize sweetened beverages, including those containing fruit juice, as they make your child feel too full to eat healthier foods. Limit white carbohydrates to reduce obesity in children including rice, pasta, bleached bread and sugar and desserts. Make sure to have healthy habits at your home, as child obesity is not only the child's problem but is in fact a condition that needs the support of the whole family. Maintaining a well planned eating routine and fixed meal times for children make them become hungry at regular times which is the very first step at home in preventing childhood obesity.

For your quick assistance, here are some recommendations for kids of all ages:

Birth to age 1:

Though the literal mechanism is unknown, breastfeeding may help prevent weight gain in infants. Babies feeding on breast milk may be able to control own intake and follow own appetite.

Ages 2 to 6:

Switch your child from whole milk to 2% milk at age two years. If she or he is overweight, switch to 1% milk. In early childhood, skim milk should only be substituted following a doctor's recommendation. It’s important to start good habits early in babies. Parents need to help kids make food preferences by offering a selection of healthy foods. Support kids’ natural affinity to be active and help them build on developing skills.

Ages 7 to 12:

Encourage kids to be physically active every day (see childhood obesity physical activity), whether it's an organized sports team or a pick-up game of soccer during recess. Keep your kids active at home, too, through everyday activities like walking and playing in the yard. Let them be more involved in making good food choices, such as packing lunch. Don't make your child eat when he or she isn't hungry. Offer your child a healthy, balanced diet that includes a variety of foods. No more than 30% of calories should come from fats.

Ages 13 to 17:

Teenagers are fond of fast foods (see fast food and childhood obesity), but try to guide them toward healthier choices. Teach them how to make healthy meals and snacks at home. Know how much food to serve your child and sit at the table and eat together as a family. Make sure your child gets enough sleep each night. Also it is important to help your child understand why you are making these changes. Encourage teens to be physically active every day like put an hour of physical activity into your child’s day like riding a bicycle, jumping rope, or playing ball. Better yet, bicycle or play ball with your child.

All ages:

Limit screen time to less than two hours per day, computer, and video game time and discourage eating while watching tv. Share a variety of healthy foods and eat meals together as often as possible. Encourage kids to have at least five servings of fruits and vegetables a day, minimize sugar-sweetened beverages, and eat breakfast every day (see childhood obesity food).

As a parents or a caregiver, you can take proactive measures to get or keep things on the right cue even if your child is at risk of becoming obese or at a normal weight.

Schedule visit with doctor.
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Take the assistance of a doctor to understand the growth curves giving percentiles for height, weight and body mass index (BMI) (see childhood obesity BMI). Increases in your child's BMI or in his or her percentile rank over one year, especially if your child is older than 4, is a possible sign that your child is at risk of becoming obese.

Be an example.
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Parents need to develop good habits of their own to help their children maintain a healthy weight. Ensure to eat healthy foods and exercise regularly to maintain your weight (see childhood obesity exercise). And let your child learn from you.

Avoid food as reward or punishment.
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You might by chance lay the foundation for such encounters by providing or withholding certain foods — sweets, for instance — as rewards or punishments. As a general rule, foods aren't recommended for behavior modification in children.

Encourage positive habits.
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Encourage a healthy lifestyle by highlighting the positive — the fun of playing outside or the variety of fresh fruit you can get year-round (see childhood obesity nutrition), for example. Emphasize the benefits of exercise apart from helping to manage their weight, for example, it makes their heart, lungs and other muscles stronger. If you foster your child's natural inclination to run around, explore and eat only when hungry — not out of boredom — a healthy weight should take care of itself.

Be patient.
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Many overweight children grow into their extra pounds as they get taller. Realize, too, that an intense focus on your child's eating habits and weight can easily backfire, leading a child to overeat even more, or possibly making him or her more prone to developing an eating disorder.

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Childhood Obesity Diet Provide a variety of foods, including plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Use salt (sodium) and sugars in moderation. Encourage a diet low in fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol. Help your child maintain a healthy weight by providing proper foods. [Read More]

Childhood Obesity Food Parents should develop good habits of their own to help their children maintain a healthy weight. Studies show that when a family eats together, children eat more vegetables and fruits and fewer fried and junk foods. Plan and make healthy, affordable, family meals. [Read More]

Childhood Obesity Nutrition Although everything can be enjoyed in moderation, reducing the calorie-rich temptations of high-fat and high-sugar, or salty snacks can also help your children develop healthy eating habits. One part of balancing calories is to eat foods that provide adequate nutrition. [Read More]

Childhood Obesity Physical Activity Encourage children to enjoy physical activity that burns calories to keep balance between energy out and energy in. It is recommended that children and teens should participate in at least 60 minutes of moderate physical activity most days of the week. [Read more]

Childhood Obesity Exercise Start exercising together. The best way you can ensure that your child gets plenty of aerobic play time is to lead the way. Again, this is a family affair. Become involved in your child’s daily exercise. Be enthusiastic and creative about finding ways to stay active. [Read more]

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Childhood Obesity School Foods which are being sold in the cafeteria should be considered for nutritional content. When students pass through a serving line, they should be given simple, easy-to-understand information on the items they select. [Read more]

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