As concerns over childhood obesity continue to build, parents and caregivers have the unenviable responsibility of helping children learn how to make healthy choices about their food and level of physical activity. A contributing writer at About.com offered ten tips for getting kids to eat good food.

"1. Prepare healthy meals together. Engaging children in the preparation of kid-friendly healthy dishes is so fun and so very messy, but children are more likely to eat something that they've helped to prepare."

Other tips included: Take Children Grocery Shopping, Plan a Family Taste Test, and Show Kids How to Grow Food. Habits developed during childhood often stay with a person throughout his or her life, so setting a healthy example is important. Source: About.com

Learn more about healthy eating and exercise at Weight Loss Central.

Labels: families, having_fun, healthy_eating

The program TrimKids was created 18 years ago by an exercise physiology professor who wanted to encourage entire families to get fit together. The program has been implemented into several New Orleans-area YMCAs.

"Through weekly meetings, nutrition lessons, exercise sessions and visits with behavior counselors, children learn how to control their weight and make healthy choices."

Louisiana's obesity rate is currently higher than the national average. A trend it's hoping to change through programs like TrimKids. Source: The Times - Picayune

Labels: exercise, families, nutrition

The best role models kids can have for physical activity and healthy eating are their parents. Studies have shown that overweight parents are far more likely to have overweight children. With spring right around corner, there are lots of things the family can do to increase physical activity.

"Limit the amount of time you watch television. By doing this, you will find it easier to limit the amount of time your child watches TV and movies, or plays video and computer games. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a maximum of two hours of viewing time for children each day."

Pick some favorite family outdoor activities like playing Frisbee, hiking, or gardening. Modeling a healthy lifestyle while kids are young will go a long way toward ensuring they become healthy adults. Read more at SeattlePI.com.

Wellspring offers a family camp geared to getting families on the road to a healthy lifestyle. Learn more at WellspringFamilyCamp.com.

Labels: families, fitness, role_models

ABC News posted ways for parents to help their children in the battle of the bulge. By using simple planning strategies provided by the American Obesity Association, families can incorporate healthy eating habits and exercise into their lives. Some of the tips include:

"'Create a family activity that involves fitness, such as walks, bike rides or Rollerblading' and 'Find other families in your neighborhood and schedule time for basketball, hide and seek and other active games.'"

Read more tips to get and stay healthy online.

Labels: families, healthy_living, tips