How to Help Your Child Avoid Unhealthy Weight Gain

Children who are obese suffer a great deal more than parents may realize. Obese children typically have low self-esteem and suffer emotionally; many are depressed. Childhood obesity also places kids at an increased risk for serious health problems, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure.

It is up to parents to prevent childhood obesity from happening to their kids. Active, positive involvement in your child’s diet and lifestyle is the only way to ensure they don’t suffer from childhood obesity.
      
Parents can prevent childhood obesity in multiple ways. They can teach kids how to enjoy a healthy diet, prepare healthy foods for them to eat and help them learn why nutrition matters. Encouraging an active lifestyle that emphasizes regular exercise is also an important part of helping kids avoid childhood obesity.

Specific strategies parents can use to prevent childhood obesity include:

* Keep sugary foods and beverages out of the house, including candy, processed bakery goods and soda.

* Provide healthy snacks on a consistent basis, such as raw veggies, yogurt, nuts and fresh fruit.

* Prepare home-cooked meals as often as possible instead of relying on processed foods.

* Encourage kids to play team sports they enjoy at school.

* Exercise and engage in physical activities together at home, including play and work (such as washing the car).

* Avoid letting kids develop sedentary habits that contribute to childhood obesity, such as watching TV or playing video games for hours on end.

Preventing childhood obesity will be much easier for your kids than dealing with it after the fact. Parents who are serious about prevention of childhood obesity should lead by example when it comes to diet and exercise.