| In the last few years, there has been a lot of | | | | you remove junk food from your child's life as he |
| information available on child obesity. The reason | | | | or she is bound to eat it when they are with |
| for this is the rate of obesity among children has | | | | friends. However, as a parent you should ensure |
| increased at an alarming rate. Today, many health | | | | that your child learns how fast food plays a role in |
| experts feel that this problem has reached the | | | | obesity.o Set hours for television viewing: Instead |
| magnitude of an epidemic. | | | | of sitting the whole day in front of television, |
| However, parents can now prevent childhood | | | | encourage your child to take on other hobbies. |
| obesity by taking proactive steps. Here are the | | | | This also goes for other technology like watching |
| four steps to preventing childhood obesity.o | | | | DVDs, spending time on the Internet or playing |
| Eliminate soda from the child's diet: Today, children | | | | video games. Teach your child that meal times is |
| cannot live without drinking soda. These | | | | for family and no television viewing is allowed. |
| beverages have no nutritive value. Instead, they | | | | Instead encourage your child to speak about |
| are high on sugars and calories. Removing soda | | | | school, friends and extra-curricular activities.o |
| from your child's diet could be difficult, but you | | | | Encourage your child to be physically active: One |
| should immediately remove it and substitute with | | | | of the worst things in today's life is inactivity |
| a healthier drink. For instance, instead of soda, you | | | | among children. This is one of the main reasons of |
| can encourage your child to drink water, fresh | | | | childhood obesity. Encourage your child to play |
| fruit juice or low-fat milk. However, you may | | | | games, participate in sports, walk to school or |
| have to set an example. This means that you too | | | | shopping malls or take part in community activities |
| would have to stop consuming the sodas.o Avoid | | | | that require some amount of physical exertion. |
| fast food: It is usually to see children tucking in | | | | Remember obese children will grow into obese |
| French fries, hamburgers, chips, milkshakes and | | | | adults. They will be prone to a lot of diseases, |
| other items that are fried and unhealthy. You can | | | | including heart disease and diabetes. It is, |
| allow your child to eat fast food once a week, | | | | therefore, in the child's interest to have optimum |
| and on other days teach him or her to make | | | | weight of his or her body type. |
| healthier eating choices. It will not be possible for | | | | |