| The statistics are staggering. According to the | | | | are overweight or obese, and according to a |
| Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: The | | | | recent report in the International Journal of |
| number of overweight children ages 6 to 11 has | | | | Pediatric Obesity, approximately half of American |
| more than doubled over the last 20 years -- from | | | | children are expected to be overweight by 2010. |
| 7% in 1980 to 18.8% in 2004. | | | | In addition to lack of sufficient physical activity, |
| The number of overweight teenagers (ages 12 to | | | | consumption of fast food and junk food plays a |
| 19) has more than tripled, increasing from 5% to | | | | significant role in promoting overweight and |
| 17.1%. | | | | obesity in American children. In light of these |
| About 61% of overweight youngsters have at | | | | facts, parents need to regain control of their kids' |
| least one additional risk factor for heart disease, | | | | eating habits and avoid the drive-through window |
| including high cholesterol or high blood pressure. | | | | as often as possible." Meals on Wheels There are |
| Overweight children are at greater risk for bone | | | | simple solutions to "dashboard dining," Dr. McAllister |
| and joint problems, sleep apnea, and social and | | | | says. |
| psychological problems (stigmatization and poor | | | | "When you're driving kids to and from soccer |
| self-esteem). | | | | games and dance lessons, make sure that you're |
| Overweight children are more likely to become | | | | armed with snacks and drinks," she says. "Keep a |
| overweight or obese adults, placing them at risk | | | | cooler in the car, and fill it with bottled water, |
| for heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, cancer | | | | dried fruit, yogurt and spoons, cut-up fruits and |
| and osteoarthritis. | | | | veggies, and other nutritious snacks so that you |
| With all of this bad news, I'm happy to report | | | | aren't tempted to visit the drive-through window |
| that eating natural and organic food can help | | | | at your favorite fast-food restaurant." Nutritionist |
| prevent your child from becoming one of | | | | Gayl Canfield, PhD, of the Pritikin Longevity |
| America's health statistics. The prescription for | | | | Center & Spa in Aventura, Florida, is also a firm |
| change is relatively simple: Replace heavily | | | | believer in "rabbit bags," which can be filled with |
| processed supermarket brands with fresh | | | | organic vegetables and snacks. Simply place raw |
| produce and organic food, and adopt organic living | | | | carrots, cauliflower, orange wedges and apple |
| strategies that encourage your children to get | | | | slices in a snack-size plastic bag. |
| moving. | | | | "The orange gives everything a nice flavor and |
| Eat at Home Eating out is one of the major | | | | aroma, and it helps keep the apple slices from |
| contributors to childhood obesity, and you'll serve | | | | turning too brown," she tells Organic Authority. |
| your family well if you make a resolution to | | | | "No time to slice up veggies? Available in many |
| prepare home-cooked meals with organic | | | | markets now are little single-serving bags of |
| ingredients. | | | | sweet baby carrots -- peeled, washed and ready |
| "It's not uncommon for parents to feel that | | | | to toss in your child's lunchbox. How easy! If your |
| they're just too busy to prepare home-cooked | | | | kids like dips for their veggies, pack a little |
| meals, especially after a long, exhausting day at | | | | container of bean dip, hummus or salsa." Get |
| work. As a result, they often succumb to | | | | Moving! Finally, be sure to make exercise a family |
| 'takeout syndrome,' " says Rallie McAllister, MD, | | | | affair. |
| MPH, a preventive health specialist and author of | | | | "The best way for parents to motivate kids to |
| Healthy Lunchbox: A Working Mom's Guide to | | | | get moving is for parents to get moving |
| Keeping You and Your Kids Trim. She recently | | | | themselves," Dr. Canfield says. |
| commissioned a national survey of 1,000 moms, | | | | "What good are homilies about the benefits of |
| which revealed that children are 25% less likely to | | | | exercise if we sit on the bleachers while our kids |
| be overweight if a parent participates in meal | | | | run around the soccer field? While they're at |
| preparation. | | | | practice, take off for a nice 45-minute walk |
| "There's no doubt that fast food is convenient, | | | | around the park. And as much as your |
| but at this point we can't afford to sacrifice our | | | | middle-aged body will allow, make their exercise |
| children's health and well-being for the sake of | | | | your exercise, from skiing to bike riding to, yes, |
| convenience," Dr. McAllister tells Organic Authority. | | | | even skateboarding!" |
| "Currently, roughly a third of American children | | | | |