Today’s generation is the first generation in American history not expected to outlive their parents. The main reason: obesity. Doctors are concerned about childhood obesity because it can lead to life-threatening conditions such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, asthma, and sleep apnea. Unfortunately, social isolation and discrimination can also be a result for the obese child. Although obesity may be related to a person’s genetic makeup, there are important behaviors within our control that can reduce the likelihood of excessive weight gain. So what can parents do to protect their children from the dangers of childhood obesity?
Limit passive entertainment from television, the Internet, and video games. Which is the magic number? Two hours per day or less.
Rarely give your children sugary sweets or high-fat treats. You should never allow your children to eat sugary candy or soft drinks on a daily basis. Our kids only get sugary treats maybe once a week or twice a month. And, as a result, they don’t crave or hound us for them. Healthy snacks include bananas, carrots, figs, grapes, and other fruits. Fruit juices also contain a lot of sugar. Mix water with approximately 1/6 organic fruit juice. This will keep your kids hydrated, keep the calories down, and still give them some flavor and vitamin C. Of course, it’s even better if you can juice the fruit yourself.
Get ’em moving! It doesn’t necessarily have to involve expensive gym classes, structured swimming lessons, or an overly scheduled lifestyle. Do you remember when you were a child? Most of us spend a good part of our childhood entertaining ourselves by running around the neighborhood playing games. We weren’t thinking about exercising, we were just doing it. Chase your kids around the yard or go for an evening walk with the family. Just make sure they move their bodies every day.
Eat at home. One of the main reasons for eating at home that many people may ignore is the fact that you can control the cleanliness of your food. A friend of mine who worked at a four-star restaurant came to work one day with the flu. When I asked why he would go in and handle the food, he said he wouldn’t get paid and might even get fired for missing a busy weekend shift. But when it comes to obesity, portion control is the number one reason to eat at home. Today’s dish in the average American restaurant was yesterday’s dish that fed an entire family.
Hide the vegetables. With children, especially picky toddlers and preschoolers, you can incorporate vegetables into their diets by making their mealtime fun. For example, you can turn a salad into a cartoon face or a plate of whole wheat pancakes into a clown face with strategically placed berries. Also, make a list of your favorite dishes and think of creative ways to make them healthier.
With collective education and effort, we can reverse the dire prediction of longevity for the youngest among us and help make them the healthiest generation ever. It is up to us to protect our children.
