How to Prevent Child Obesity and Instill Healthy Habits

It is very painful to see a child who has developed uncontrolled eating habit and become obese. This can lead to serious health problems that may become lifelong. Everything must be done to help these children curb unhealthy habits.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Outside contacts: dietitian, pediatrician.
• Cooperation from members of household.
• Cooperation from extended family members and anyone else who has daily contact with the child.

1. Keep unhealthy foods out of the house or out of sight.
2. Have plenty of healthy snacks on hand. Low-fat yogurt with fruit or granola added. Fruits: apples, oranges, bananas, raisins, berries. Vegetables: baby carrots and low-fat ranch dressing is a favorite. Pretzels-the shaped kinds are fun.
3. Encourage children to trade pop and other sugary drinks for real fruit juice, water or low-fat milk.
4. Household members must set an example. Do not eat foods you want your child to avoid.
5. Children must have thirty minutes of large motor activity a day or most days. This includes running,jumping on a trampoline, riding toys or bikes, anything that gets their whole body moving.

Tips & Warnings

• Family outings should be planned with active ventures like swimming, skating, hiking or biking. Even a simple walk around the block is good.
• Use positive encouragement.No nagging or namecalling.
• A piece of cake or some candy is okay once in awhile, stress that these are occasional treats only.
• Encourage children to eat slowly and not to stuff themselves, this increases the danger of choking.