Childhood Obesity. Is your child or children going in that direction?

Today’s primary school children seem to have much more of a sense of body image than previous generations. No child wants to be perceived by others as being too fat. If your child is tending in that direction, what can you do? Set a good example One thing not to do is to tease the child about his or her body image. Children are sensitive! Instead, be supportive, by taking steps to improve the entire family’s diet and lifestyle. A child who comes home from school to a house with lots of fresh, natural food finds it easy to eat right. Conversely, trying to force a child to eat a healthy diet while the rest of the family pigs out on processed foods is simply wrong. Don’t buy processed foods Packaged foods tend to be high in salt, sugar, preservatives, additives, artificial colors and calories. They are a bad deal all around. Don’t buy them. Instead, serve lots of fresh fruit and vegetables, nuts, seeds, whole grains and legumes. Start the day with a good breakfast Small bodies need to be properly refueled for the busy day ahead! A wholesome breakfast delivers more sustained energy than a processed, sugar-sweetened breakfast. Give your children an oats-based cereal with yogurt, fresh fruit and whole milk. Provide healthy snacks Snack breaks seem to be a time when unhealthy junk foods can sneak in. Resist this temptation with cut-up vegetables, yogurt, whole grain muffins or crispbreads with avocado. No soft drinks If your child thinks water is boring it means she is addicted to sugar. Don’t let this happen. Make water the drink of choice in your house. The amount of sugar in one can of soft drink is stupendous, and children are simply not biologically designed to cope with an enormous sugar rush. Make dinner a family affair Involve kids in the preparation and cooking of food and they will be excited about eating healthy food. Sit down at the table as a family and turn off the TV. Make the family dinner a nightly ritual. Sharing a meal sends a positive message about eating right.