Childhood obesity is a serious medical condition that affects both children and adolescents. 17% of children ages 6-19 are overweight. Having a society that promotes large intakes of food and inactivity it's no surprise this is becoming an increasing dilemma inside our country.
More troubling is that this encourages a design of behavior that makes obese children more prone to become obese as adults. Actually, statistics show that children born within this generation have a shorter lifespans than their parents. Childhood obesity has more than tripled in the past 30 years, according to the Center for Disease Control.
Keep yourself well-informed and take time
Learn about healthy eating and active living and take time to help your child achieve and maintain a healthy body weight. No parent can follow many of these tips every day. Do what you can do when you're able to.
Eat breakfast together
Research has shown that students who eat breakfast have raised test scores, improved attendance, reduced tardiness, and academic, behavioral and emotional functioning.
Eat most meals both at home and eat as many meals as you possibly can together
Studies show that the more meals a household eats meals together, the much more likely the children are to eat fruit, vegetables, grains and calcium-rich food and beverages. They're also more likely to feel connected to their loved ones. They do better in school and therefore are half as likely to encounter problems with substance abuse as teenagers.
Lead by example
Children is going to do what you do, not that which you say. Model healthy lifestyle choices for example exercising regularly and eating healthy food. Children with overweight parents are less active, and therefore are more likely to prefer sedentary activities. Research has shown that older children are two times as likely to be active if their mothers are active and therefore are almost six times more prone to be active if both mom and dad are active.
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