Reducing childhood obesity in the U.S. needs to be a #1 priority. Here are some ways you can help:
Parents: Set a good example. Instead of focusing on a diet for one child in the family, focus on improving the health of all family members by removing junk foods from the home, and preparing or purchasing meals that are low in fat and sugar. Serve lots of different varieties of fruits and vegetables; avoid frying food; purchase whole-grain breads and cereals; use fat-free milk for all family members over the age of 2. Restrict the amounts of meat, fish, chicken, eggs, beans and nuts to the serving sizes recommended by the USDA. The USDA website has information for all age groups and both genders, according to the amount of physical activity engaged in above your normal routine.
Limit TV and computer use to no more than 2 hours per day. Too much TV stifles a child's creativity, and keeps them from getting necessary daily exercise. The new USDA guidelines for exercise say that we need to exercise ? hour a day for good health, 1 hour a day to maintain weight loss, and 1 ? hours a day to lose weight. Since overweight children often avoid playing with other children because of the teasing and tormenting they receive, you may need to exercise with your child. Take nightly family walks or bike rides, shoot hoops, skate, dance, or let them help you wash the car, give the dog a bath; rake or weed the yard. Purchase an inexpensive pedometer for each family member, and have daily challenges to see who can take the most steps.
Schools: Replace junk foods and beverages in vending machines with healthier snacks, bottled water, and fat-free milk or fruit smoothies. Change cafeteria menus to include whole wheat bread, more salads, fresh fruit or fruit smoothies, and veggie pizzas. Limit French fries to one lunch per week. Stop serving sweets at class parties and offer fresh fruit or other healthy choices instead. Ask teachers to stop giving candy as rewards for good behavior or good work, and give stickers or other types of non-food recognition.
Medical Professionals: Counsel parents of overweight children, and give them positive suggestions for healthy weight loss. Find out what the child eats and drinks in a normal day, and suggest healthier alternatives. Recommend limiting TV and computer use to no more than 2 hours per day. Suggest exercise activities for the entire family. If parents are overweight, make sure they understand the health risks for themselves and their children. Don't accept the "we've tried everything to lose weight" excuse, but emphasize making healthy lifestyle changes instead of dieting.
Restaurants: Offer healthy choices, especially on children's menus. Reduce portion sizes for adults, and charge extra for larger portions, or make smaller portions available at reduced prices.
Advertisers: Stop targeting ads for junk foods to children. Advertise healthier choices such as whole-grain cereals, and foods that are low in sugar.
Community Leaders: Work to increase the number of exercise facilities and playgrounds in your community. The more choices available, the more children will be likely to find activities they enjoy. Ask sports professionals, dance instructors or other athletes to volunteer their time to teach children.
Media: Run feature stories about schools with successful changes in food or exercise programs, and families who have lost weight by making better choices of food and exercising together daily. Prove that weight loss need not involve temporary restrictive diets.
Let's work together to reduce childhood obesity and keep health care costs affordable!
Bev Grey is the author of the new book "The Project", and founder and president of Grandma's Healthy Kids Club, an in-home program to help children lose weight safely. Visit the website at http://www.grandmashealthykidsclub.com
Food intolerance is a pharmacological reaction to the consumption of... Read More
How to Break the Weighing HabitFace it, if you weigh... Read More
Diet PillsTaking diet pills is definitely not an effective weight... Read More
Can You Lose Weight Where You Want?If you have excess... Read More
Axiom Number Two: Hunger ControlTrying to lose weight without understanding... Read More
Let's not talk about diets. Diets are punishment ? like... Read More
So you've decided that you're going to do it.You're sick... Read More
1. Carrying around excess body fat will decrease your energy... Read More
"Hey, you have reduced now, compared to the last time... Read More
Going away for your holidays will also bring with it... Read More
We have such good weight loss intentions. We emotionally beat... Read More
What if by making a few small changes in your... Read More
You are the GREATEST, aren't you? You are focusing on... Read More
Summer is about to be in full swing, and it's... Read More
1. Start Exercising first thing in the morning.As soon as... Read More
The latest trend in the area of weight loss is... Read More
If you have been trying to lose weight permanently, then... Read More
Although all of the risks involved in gastric bypass surgery... Read More
Some of my dieting tips are not conventional. You can... Read More
Looking to avoid the dieting mistakes many of our weight... Read More
Diet pills have met with many different fates, and come... Read More
Name a diet...any diet. It doesn't work. Try to name... Read More
Let's face when it comes to overweight and obesity there... Read More
There are many subscriber programs available both online and in... Read More
To lose weight and get in shape you must have... Read More
Surprisingly, hair loss is one of the reasons female pre-operative... Read More
Yep, it is that time of year again! Time to... Read More
Water is an essential component of the human body and... Read More
Are you unhappy with your current weight but aren't "motivated"... Read More
The only way you will ever follow through on an... Read More
Recently a woman went public in her online diet community... Read More
(But What You Need to Know if You Want to... Read More
Losing weight on hips and thighs has always been a... Read More
Adverse Events with Volumetrics Dr. Barbara Rolls is a well... Read More
"Your Eyes are Bigger Than Your Stomach""Your eyes are bigger... Read More
I just read this conventional diet tip ? and we've... Read More
Have you ever experienced this scenario before?"I have successfully lost... Read More
Ever heard of the expression, "Getting up on the wrong... Read More
Have you ever stepped on the scale after a week... Read More
Is Zone Diet a Fad?How do you recognize a fad... Read More
As the holidays approach, a frequent question from my clients... Read More
"Who are you to give me weight loss advice?" I... Read More
Water is useful when we are trying for losing weight.... Read More
There are several factors in winning at weight loss. Sometimes... Read More
If you have been dieting and haven't lost weight, stop!... Read More
There's one thing that most people forget about when it... Read More
I am somebody who has had an ongoing battle with... Read More
Choosing a weight loss program may be a daunting task.... Read More
If you are a fan of horse racing, you are... Read More
The most common and popular diet fad over the past... Read More
Weight Loss |