8 Ways to Fight Childhood Obesity

Today’s culture revolves around sitting. Kids sit almost all day at their desks and then come home to sit in front of the computer or TV. According to arecent study,孩子看两个多小时of TV daily are at a higher risk of developing obesity. So get your kids moving! Chase them, play ball, assign chores—do whatever you can to keep them active.

Arecent studysays a big breakfast can help fight obesity by reducing snacking throughout the day and improving energy levels. NutritionistAmy Hendelrecommends healthy options for kids, such as a whole-grain waffle with nut butter or oatmeal mixed with fruit and milk.

We all had to do things we didn’t want to as a child. While your kid might complain at first, they may actually end up liking soccer or basketball and make new friends along the way. Pick a sport that requires vigorous exercise, as theCenters for Disease Control recommendschildren get at least 60 minutes of daily physical activity.

There are a variety of programs that work with elementary and middle schools throughout the U.S. to help combat childhood obesity.Energy Balance 101, for example, helps educate kids on healthy and active lifestyle options. Your local school doesn’t have one? Find out howyou can change that.

Parents might not know their child is overweight. Pediatricians are supposed to monitor these patterns and tell parents early on to begin preventative measures. However, a2012 studyindicated somepediatricians failed to communicatea child’s weight problem to their parents. Ask about your child’s weight at the doctor’s. If you feel the doctor is not devoting enough attention to this issue, switch doctors.

Teaching your children about health is important. What’s the best way to do that? According to a recent study, kids that played health-centric video games were more likely to select healthier foods than kids who did not play health games. Check out this list ofhealth game options for kids.

A recent study indicateschildren who eat school lunches have higher risks for obesity. Changes to kids’ school lunches are being implemented, but will kids make the right choices on their own? If you prepare a lunch, you can take that gamble out of the equation by knowing exactly what they’re eating and how much.

Young children look up to their parents, often copying their behaviors. So set a good example for your children by eating healthy and exercising regularly. Remember: You are the biggest influence in their lives in the beginning, so it’s important to be a good role model before they’re out on their own.