Childhood Obesity - Do you have an overweight child? We offer tips to help your child lose weight and get fit!

As we head into the holiday season, opportunities will abound for both children and parents to indulge in a wide range of seasonal delicacies. It will also provide opportunities for parents to set examples about self-control.

In a commentary that appeared in the Nov. 11 edition of the Philadelphia Tribune, Larry Lucas, a vice president for Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, described ways that parents can promote healthy eating over holidays and throughout the new year:

Kids look to adults to set an example, and its more important than ever to be a positive role model. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), childhood obesity has more than doubled in the past 20 years, and the problem continues to grow. Fortunately, there are changes the entire family can make to help children stay healthy and fit.

DO: Add in more time for physical activity. Limit the amount of time your children are allowed to spend in front of the TV and computer and increase the time they spend moving around. This could include playing sports, dancing or going on walks. Also, encourage them to eat more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy and protein and drink plenty of water. Try making these changes a family affair -- children take cues from the adults around them, so hop on a bike and grab your kids!

DONT: Drink your calories. For example, an average 12 ounce can of soda is around 165 calories. If you drink three in a day, youve added an extra 495 calories to your diet! If your average 8-year-old is on a 1,600 calorie-a-day diet, theyve already consumed nearly 30 percent of their daily allotment in just soda alone. Set the example by avoiding these high-calorie drinks yourself -- no matter how much you crave them.

Labels: advice, parents, examples

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A study conducted at a university in Victoria, Australia, found that a family dog may have health benefits for the children.

"'We found that young children who are aged around five to six years of age are 50 percent less likely to be overweight or obese if they own a dog, compared to those who don't own a dog,' [Dr. Jo] Salmon said... Dr. Salmon says the health benefits come even if the children do not walk the dog regularly."

The study concluded that children are simply more likely to expend energy if they have a family pet because they spend more time playing and less time in front of the television or computer screen. The results were the same regardless of a family's socioeconomic status. Source: ABC News - Australia

Labels: examples, activity, pets

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Today, "kid cuisine" consists mostly of fried chicken, French fries, and sweet drinks like soda. One result of this unbalanced diet is that we now find ourselves in the midst of a childhood obesity epidemic. Another result is that kids no longer have an appetite for food that's actually good.

"Once they get used to these flavors, the taste threshold is set so high that fresh fruits aren't sweet enough and vegetables taste too bitter... "

Instead, parents should be helping kids discover and appreciate the taste of healthy foods that have been properly prepared. Parents need to worry less about buying foods their kids like and more about teaching kids to like the foods they buy.

Looking for more free parenting tips? Visit ByParents-forParents for free advice and tips for parents.

Labels: examples, role_models, influences

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