Dr. Goutham Rao, who directs the Weight Management and Wellness Center at Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh, says fewer than half of parents who are told their child is overweight will ever do anything about it. Some don't think their children are truly at risk, while others simply don't know where to start.

"On face, most of the advice is common sense: eat right and exercise. But for many families, the changes constitute nothing less than lifestyle upheaval... For a parent, the most difficult step is making habits that stick... 'We don't advocate changing everything overnight,' said Rao..."

Instead of advising families to implement large-scale changes, physicians recommend that they take gradual steps that can lead to long-term improvements. Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Labels: habits, healthy_living, parents

In an effort to help combat the continued problem of childhood obesity, the University of Minnesota recently reviewed the techniques schools and parents use in dealing with overweight children. They found that most of the current techniques don't work.

"University of Minnesota researchers who study adolescent health found that parents who correctly perceived their kids as overweight tended to use only one strategy - advising them to diet. But five years later, those kids were far more likely to still be too heavy than were overweight kids whose parents had no idea they were fat and did nothing."

The findings have prompted researchers to suggest that parents encourage their children by modeling a healthy lifestyle. As a family, go for walks, take bike rides, or even work out together. And try to cook healthy, nutritious meals at home together, too. Source: The Truth Newspaper - Elkhart, Colorado.

Labels: encouragment, enviroment, parents

Telling your overweight child to diet may backfire, according to a new study from the University of Minnesota.

Professor Dianne Neumark-Sztainer wanted to find out if sending parents "obesity report cards" from school did any good in helping overweight children win the battle of the bulge. Such reports are required by law in certain states.

Prof. Neumark-Sztainer used data on 300 overweight middle and high school students that had been collected by Project EAT. Sixty percent of the boys' parents and 46 percent of the girls' parents wrongly believed that their children were at their ideal weight. Of the rest of the parents who knew their children were overweight, 60 percent encouraged dieting.

Five years later Prof. Neumark-Sztainer reassessed the children. The ones who were encouraged to diet were more likely to still be overweight. The figures were 75 percent of boys whose parents encouraged dieting compared to 52 percent whose parents ignored the issue. Among girls, the figures were 66 percent compared to 44 percent.

Prof. Neumark-Sztainer believes the important thing for parents to do is to set a good example of healthy eating and appropriate exercise. She also indicated that "school obesity report cards" might be counterproductive.

Her study appears in Pediatrics.

Labels: advice, diet, parents

Obesity is a real problem for millions of kids and their parents. Most parents are aware of the dangers posed by childhood obesity, but may not know what to do about it.

"If you have concerns about your child's weight, talk with their doctor. Physicians typically don't want to put a young child on a calorie-restrictive diet, especially when a few modifications in the child's habits may make the difference."

Physicians may recommend cutting soft drinks and other high-sugar beverages. Also, be sure your child eats breakfast; skipping breakfast doubles the risk of obesity. Source: Naperville Sun

Labels: actions, parents, pediatricians

Debra Zarella isn't a certified physical trainer, but she has plenty of clients. When they're not working out, they're probably watching cartoons, playing video games, or practicing their spelling. Zarella designed her Healthy Kidz fitness club for just that - kids.

"Every piece of equipment in the gym is pint-sized to meet the needs of its pint-sized clients. Gym owner Debra Zarella got the idea after her own gym fell short for her seven-year-old daughter."

A typical workout consists of a warm-up on the treadmill and three rounds of strength-building on hydraulic resistance machines. A dietitian and nutritionist are onsite as well, and each training session costs just $15. Read more at ABC-7.com.

Labels: exercise, parents, role_models

Teaching good eating habits when children are young in instrumental in helping them develop healthy lifestyles and lifelong positive eating habits.

"Unfortunately, some parents over-think what to do about their child's eating habits, which give way to practices like forcing kids to clean their plates. And some parents don't think about nutrition at all, letting their kids eat a lot of junk food and drink a lot of juice. So, it's important to find a balance."

Helping your child develop healthy eating habits can start when she's still an infant. By introducing fruits and vegetables early, children will be more likely to eat them when their older. Read more at Pediatrics.About.com.

Labels: healthy_living, lifestyle, parents

Despite all the advice out there about getting kids healthy using "interactive" video games, or "tricks" to get them to eat healthy foods, one of the best things parents can do is simply model an active lifestyle and healthy eating.

"At home, parents are a child's best role models. If you stay active and eat a balanced diet, your children are more likely to follow your lead. Here are some tips on how to influence your child's lifestyle: Keep healthier foods in the house, like fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low fat dairy foods, so they begin to consider it 'the norm'."

Also, encourage moderation, and limit television and computer time. Read more at WisInfo.com.

Looking for free parenting tips and advice on raising teenagers? Visit ByParents-forParents for tips and advice on raising teens.

Labels: influences, parents, role_models

There's no end to the statistics or studies about the damaging effects of childhood obesity. And while most parents know they need to take an active role in helping their children be and stay healthy, they don't always know what to do. To offer some guidance, iVilliage contributing writers Sarah Barlow and William Dietz have put together a list of suggestions.

"Offer only healthy options. Parents can ask the child to choose between an apple or popcorn for a snack, not an apple or a cookie, or ask the child to choose between outside play or going to the park rather than to choose between outside play or television. When children can choose, they are less likely to view the alternative they select as unattractive."

They also remind parents how important it is to be consistent regarding the foods that are and aren't allowed. If kids know they can get their favorite junk food if they push hard enough, that's exactly what they'll do.

Labels: advice, parents, tips

The federal program We Can! recently expanded to three major US cities, in a continued effort to combat childhood obesity. The program has seen promising results, which most attribute to parental involvement.

"Previous childhood obesity programs at her NIH agency, the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, didn't include parents as mush, so the message didn't stick as well, said Karen Donato, We Can! program manager."

By committing to a We Can! program, a community agrees to host a specific number of promotional events. A total of 450 communities in 44 states are currently enrolled in the program.

Labels: community, federal_programs, parents

Much of the attention surrounding childhood obesity is focused on school-aged children. But studies show that just as many pre-school aged children are obese or overweight.

"Because 2- to 5-year-olds are rarely responsible for their own diet and exercise choices, this statistic suggests that parents are incorporating their own unhealthy habits into their children's routines, thereby creating a chain of obesity that has proven difficult to break."

A recent study shows that obesity programs aimed exclusively at parents have better results because the parents have such strong influence over their kids' diet and exercise. This would seem to indicate that it's the parents, rather than the kids themselves, who have the greatest chance to influence current obesity rates.

Labels: influences, parents, pre-school

Susan Rubin and Amy Kalafa, two moms who are frustrated by the lack of nutritional value in most school food, have started a food fight. But rather than throw mashed potatoes, they're throwing punches - in the form of a documentary called "Two Angry Moms".

"[Kalafa] was inspired by a state agricultural official who once said that it would take 2 million angry moms to change school food in the U.S. The women are fighting to remove foods such as chicken nuggets, French fries, cookies, candy, chips, doughnuts, snack cakes and sugary drinks from school vending machines and cafeterias."

Some school officials are pushing back against the documentary, citing cafeteria and vending machine numerous recent changes in thousands of school districts across the country. Though Kalafa acknowledges that there have been many positive changes, she says schools still have a long way to go.

Read more at LansingStateJournal.com.

Labels: education, parents, schools

In Wales, 3% more children are physically active now than were two years ago. The figures were part of the Sports Council for Wales Children's Participation Survey, which also found that parents have a powerful influence over their children’s activity levels.

"Around 54% of the children who reported that both of their parents played sport met the 5x60 target [60 minutes of physical activity, 5 days a week] compared with just 39% of children who recorded that neither of their parents played sport."

The increased popularity of things like video games, the Internet and television, which are mainly sedentary activities, coupled with parents who say they're too busy for anything but fast food means fewer and fewer kids are getting the exercise they need. Getting kids involved in sports at an early age not only helps combat obesity, but builds their self-esteem and helps them handle stress.

Read more at ICWales.ICNetwork.co.uk.

Labels: exercise, influences, parents

...Do Something about Childhood Obesity

Launched in 2005, the National Institute of Health's We Can! campaign aims at equipping parents and caregivers with the resources they need to help children live healthier lives.

"Parents and caregivers are the primary influencers for this age group. We Can! offers parents and families tips and fun activities to encourage healthy eating, increase physical activity and reduce sedentary or screen time."

The We Can! web site also offers community groups and resources for health professionals. Read more online.

Labels: influences, parents, resources

Anne M. Fletcher, M.S., R.D., author of three best selling weight loss books for adults talks about her latest book just for teenagers and their families. Fletcher wrote the book in response to her overweight son's experience at summer camp. Anne says, "That's when it occurred to me that a great model for a book would be "teens helping other teens" with weight management. My son lost more than 60 pounds when he was 18 and, when he'd kept it off for a few years, I decided it was time to write the book."

Read a full review of Weight Loss Confidential.

Labels: parents, summer_camp, teenagers

Last week, parents in South Dakota were invited to learn how to help fight the child obesity epidemic. Organizers of the Healthy Lifestyles for Kids Conference in Sioux Falls say the information taught was applicable to every parent - whether their child is fat or not - because today's kids are exposed to so much junk food.

"Registered dietician, Jessica Black, said, 'We're not focusing necessarily on parents of overweight children. That's a special concern, but really we're focusing on the majority of parents who may currently be at a healthy weight who would want their children to be healthy throughout their lifespan.'"

Nutritionists urge parents to be take a bigger part of their child's diet - parents need to be aware of what their kids eat at school, at after-school programs, and at friends' houses. Read more online.

Labels: nutrition, parents, pro-active