America is the land of plenty – especially when it comes to obesity in children. More than one-third of children in the United States are overweight or obese, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
It’s up to parents to teach children – from birth through adolescence – ways to choose a healthy lifestyle. Children watch and learn from their parents, so be aware of the verbal and non-verbal messages you send.
Snack Healthfully and Exercise
It’s hard for parents to say “no” to an evening of TV and fatty snacks if their children watch them do this. Look at your eating habits and adjust, if necessary. Model healthful snacking with fruits and other nutritious foods. Also, incorporate exercise into your daily routine and actively guide your children to do the same.
Marketing strategies now target our children as consumers. Think about all the messages bombarding children – TV, billboards, cereal boxes. This makes it hard to keep your children on a healthy life track. Parents need to actively guide children toward healthful foods and encourage active play. Be sure to educate kids about the variety of foods their bodies need to grow and be strong.
Remember to catch your children being good – anytime they make a healthy choice, recognize and reinforce that action.
Fast Food: Set Limits
Convenience is a part of modern life, so be sure to make healthy foods easily available so you and your children are more likely to choose them. Fast food restaurants are a fact of life, but you should set limits and choose healthful options.
Participation in sports helps children build confidence, self-esteem and discipline. Athletes, such as soccer star Hope Solo and swimming sensation Ryan Lochte, can be role models for proper diet and exercise. Plus, activity and physical exertion help children positively release feelings of frustration, anger and anxiety.