| Unless you've been living under a rock, you're well | | | | Encourage the kids to eat slower. Perhaps engage |
| aware of the huge coverage in the media, | | | | them in conversation over the meal so they slow |
| especially television, regarding the rapidly growing | | | | down. By eating at a slower pace, it give the brain |
| rate of obesity in children. | | | | time to get the message from the stomach that |
| Even more painfully obvious is the fact that | | | | it is in fact full. What About Between Meals? |
| although our presumed awareness has increased, | | | | Let's face it; kids can be bottomless pits when it |
| the actions taken to address this issue have not. | | | | comes to satisfying their appetites. It may seem |
| The phrase "you are what you eat" is painfully | | | | difficult at first, but keeping the junk food out of |
| true, especially when dealing with obesity in | | | | the house is a good place to start. If it can't be |
| children. So, if the assumption is made that as | | | | avoided, then only have small amounts in the |
| parents or adults, our awareness of the problem | | | | house at any one time and perhaps only allow |
| is there, then why aren't we seeing a decrease in | | | | them once a day or every other day as a treat. |
| obesity in children rather than the reverse? | | | | Many people suggest more fat free choices but if |
| The truth is, children don't do the weekly shopping | | | | they are manufactured food, then what is usually |
| for groceries, and they don't cook the meals. So | | | | done is more sugar is added o help the flavor and |
| where is the food coming from? Who is the | | | | this can in fact be worse than the normal fat. |
| person responsible for bringing the food into the | | | | Natural, unprocessed food should always be the |
| home? Children will eat what is available and they | | | | first choice. Fruit and veggies, already cut up and |
| will no doubt scream if they don't get all the fast | | | | ready for the kids to grab is very handy and kids |
| food and junk food they desire, but who is the | | | | will get used to it. Even peanut butter on oat bran |
| parent and who is running the show? Obesity in | | | | bread is a much better choice than cookies and |
| children is a serious issue that can and will cause | | | | candy.When kids are hungry enough, they'll eat |
| health issues for these young people. | | | | what's available so make their choices |
| Admittedly, kids can wear the best of parents | | | | healthier.Obesity in children can impact every area |
| down but at the end of the day, their physical | | | | of their lives, including relationships with others. |
| future is just as important or even more so, then | | | | No More Couch Potato |
| their educational and vocational future. So, let's | | | | Activity is the name of the game. Having an |
| review some tactics that might help over time. | | | | electronic babysitter in the form of TV, computer |
| Control the Amount on the Plate | | | | and video games, although sometimes unavoidable |
| It's no wonder that obesity in children is on the | | | | for your sanity, really can contribute to obesity in |
| rise when you see the servings of food | | | | children. If they don't want to go outside and play, |
| considered normal. Average portions served in | | | | or do sports, then compromise and put in video |
| fast food outlets and in many family restaurants | | | | games that are activity oriented, like learning to |
| have more than doubled since the 1950's. As a | | | | hiphop or learn other dances. Even exercise |
| result, the public has come to believe that these | | | | videos can be fun. |
| huge portions are in fact average, or normal. | | | | Instead of driving to places that are within walking |
| They are not. Portions served in Asia and Europe | | | | distance, walk. This provides good exercise and |
| are considerably smaller and the results are | | | | gets the children outside in the fresh air. |
| obvious. If you find yourself at a fast food outlet | | | | Obesity in children is a huge problem and requires |
| and the kids are screaming, now's the time for | | | | the attention of those people who are responsible |
| compromise. Get the smaller servings or share | | | | for their care. The physical well being of children is |
| the servings between a couple of them. Be sure | | | | just as important as their education because what |
| to avoid the sugared drinks and this includes fruit | | | | kind of future will they have if it is negatively |
| juices. Even though they are low in fat and sugar | | | | impacted by obesity and the serious medical |
| does not contain fat, sugar is stored as fat if not | | | | complications that go with it? What kind of future |
| burned up with exercise. | | | | will they have then? |