As more and more Americans become overweight, we are seeing our poor choices as adults being passed on to our children. There are three main factors that increase the risk of obesity in our children.
Poor diet. If you are unsure about how to develop a healthy diet for your child, consult your doctor or a dietitian. Children grow and develop rapidly and their nutritional needs differ from yours. A diet that works for you may not be right for your child.
Lack of exercise. How does your child use free time – riding a bike and playing outside, or sitting in front of the computer or television? And how do you as parents spend your free time? Parents play a key role in their children’s attitude toward physical activity. The earlier you start adding fitness to your family routine, the more readily the kids will accept it as a normal part of family life.
Genetics. Take a look at yourself and your child’s other parent and grandparents. Are several members of your family overweight? Your child may be genetically predisposed to put on excess weight. This genetic tendency is realized in an environment where high-calorie food is always available and opportunities for activity are scarce.
Among the most important things we can do for our children are teaching them to eat sensibly and exercise regularly. This will give them the best chance for a long, disease free life in spite of their genetic tendencies.
If we as parents do not act in the best interest of our children’s health, the effects can be devastating. The resulting issues can include low self-esteem and bullying, behavior and learning problems and depression. Not to mention the health risks associated with being overweight such as sleep apnea, asthma and diabetes. If your child’s weight problems persist into adulthood, they will have a greater chance of developing other life-threatening conditions such as heart disease or cancer.
Let us foster our children’s natural inclination to run around, explore and eat only when hungry (not out of boredom), and a healthy weight should take care of itself