In the US, the number of children that are obese is on the rise and it is becoming a serious problem making them at risk for poor health. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 13.7 million children ages 2 to 19 are obese.
Childhood Obesity Problems
Children with obesity are more likely to be bullied and teased by their schoolmates or friends. When that happens, they develop mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem which can be carried to their adulthood. Apart from that, they could also be at higher risk of developing chronic health conditions and diseases like asthma, sleep apnea, type 2 diabetes, and heart diseases like high blood pressure.
Studies show that children with obesity have high risk of developing type 2 diabetes which can lead to heart disease and kidney failure. Many foods can help curb sugar cravings and the earlier you start teaching your kids to eat right, the healthier they will be.
How to Prevent Childhood Obesity
Do Not Use Force
When kids stop eating, it means that they are already full. Do not force them to finish what is on their plate as it might lead to overeating.
Avoid Giving Junk Foods
Junk foods are called as such not because they are junk but because they have little to no nutritional value. Apart from having no vitamins and minerals that support child growth, most junk foods contain lots of sodium and sugar that are bad for health.
Feed Them With Real Food
Kids eat what parents place on their mouth starting from the time that they are allowed to eat solids. It is better to give them fruits and vegetables because they contain fiber that would make them full. Give them also a source of protein and carbohydrates to help grow muscles, which help burn fats.
Promote Physical Activities
Limit their time watching TV and playing gadgets, instead, allow them to play outdoors. Better yet, play with them so that you could have more bonding time together while burning calories.
Do Not Let Them Eat While Watching TV
People who eat while watching TV tend to overeat because they are not conscious of what they are eating. When you give them snacks, make sure to turn the TV off or limit the amount of snack that they will eat for portion control.
Substitute Whole Milk With Skim Milk
Shop skim milk instead of whole milk because it contains more fat. Whole milk contains 3.25 percent milkfat while skimmed milk contains less than 0.5 percent milkfat.
Remind Your Kids to Drink Water
Our bodies are made up of 75 percent water so it is important to keep them hydrated, however, kids might get too busy to chow down water resulting in dehydration. When that happens, they might mistake thirst for water to hunger. Remind them to rehydrate every now and then. You may buy them cute tumblers so that they would be reminded to drink their water.
