Should I Put My Child On A Diet?

SHOULD I PUT MY CHILD ON A DIET?

We are becoming a nation of overweight people. Adults who were never overweight as children are now overweight or even obese. The epidemic of childhood obesity is starting to worry parents, as they hear of more and more children developing type 2 diabetes, heart problems, or other serious medical conditions. Many wonder if they should put their children on a diet.

Unless your child’s doctor has recommended a diet for an obesity-related condition, a restrictive diet is not a good idea. Children are not miniature adults. Their dietary needs are far greater since their bones and muscles are still developing. What they DO need is a lifestyle change.

Most children (and adults) today watch too much TV, play too many video games, and get far too little exercise. Too much fast food and too many sodas or too much juice adds calories and fat.

Overweight parents owe it to their children to improve their own lifestyles so that they will be around to see the children reach adulthood. They also owe it to their children to control their environment in order to protect their health. Restricting TV, computer, and video games to no more than 2 hours a day may not make the kids happy at first, but replacing them with family activities that involve exercise will be a great bonding experience as well as improving everyone’s health.

Get the whole family outdoors for at least 30 minutes a day to play together. Ride bikes, go on a nature walk, shoot some hoops, toss a Frisbee, play with the dog, or whatever your family enjoys. If the weather is bad, put on some music and dance, play with a hula hoop, or jump rope inside. The kids will love the attention!

Get rid of the junk foods in your house, and only have them on special occasions outside the home. Encourage everyone to drink water instead of soda or juice.

Limit fast food to once a week and enjoy more meals at home. If you are too tired to cook, your local supermarket produce department will have pre-washed, bagged salad greens and veggies, and pre-cut fruit.

Frozen veggies need only to be steamed in the microwave for a short time. Chicken breasts can be wrapped tightly in foil and baked at 400 degrees for a few minutes until done inside. Fish can be grilled quickly. Meat loaves or other beef products can be purchased already prepared and just need 5 or 6 minutes in the microwave.

Make sure your family always eats a healthy breakfast. Let the kids set the table for breakfast while you clean up from dinner. Quick-cooking oatmeal takes 1 minute to prepare. Cold cereals such as shredded wheat biscuits or other cereals that are high in fiber and not pre-sweetened are nutritious and quick to fix. Hard boiled eggs can be prepared the night before and refrigerated for a quick breakfast. Whole wheat toast with natural peanut butter offers fiber, vitamins and minerals, and protein. A piece of fruit or a small glass of natural fruit juice and a glass of fat-free or low-fat milk will help children and adults be more productive all morning.

By making these lifestyle changes, your children will grow into their weight as they get taller, and their results in school should improve. Step up to the plate NOW, and start your family on the road to better health! They’re counting on you!