Childhood obesity is becoming more and more common, but that does not mean you want your child to be one of the kids that suffers from being severely overweight. Childhood obesity is going to affect their overall health, their self esteem, their ability to interact socially, and many other aspects of their life. So, fight childhood obesity and help your child stay at a healthy, normal weight by implementing the following tips and tricks:
1. Cut soda: Soda and other highly sugared drinks are poor options for children, and lead to weight gain. They are empty calories, and have no nutrients. Whenever possible get your child to drink whole fruit juices, and water. Kool-aid, Capri Suns, Cokes, Sunny-D, etc. are all made with artificial sweeteners and colorings, and add to the problem of weight gain. So, eliminate the artificially sweetened and sugary drinks from your child’s diet, and focus on hydrating them with beverages that add to their health, not subtract from it.
Get active with your kids.
2. Go natural: If you want to fight childhood obesity your best option is to have your child eat foods as close to their natural state as possible. You are going to save money, and your child will be healthier, and at a healthier weight. When foods undergo processing they get added fats and calories without added nutrient value. This makes them more likely to cause weight gain, and less likely to give your body what it needs for sustenance. So, instead of French fries, go for a baked potato. Instead of fruit snacks, try fresh fruit. Instead of a premade meal, make your meals from scratch. If it comes prepackaged, or processed, it is not as healthy for you as if it is all natural. So, get healthier, and fight obesity the natural way.
3. Family fun: Fight childhood obesity by having fun with your child. Families that stay physically active are less likely to show signs of childhood obesity. Instead of spending your weekends together as a family sitting on the couch watching television, seeing movies, and sitting around, take the family to a national park, go on a family bike ride, hike to a meadow and have a picnic, play in the local lake or river, etc. Most outdoor activities involve physical activity and lead to healthier, thinner kids. When you spend your time sitting in front of a computer or television screen, you eat more, eat worse, and gain more weight. So, get out and get moving as a family, and show your children that activity can be fun. Show them that fitness and exercise do not have to be a chore, but can be a recreational activity.
4. Daily movement: Your child is going to less likely to suffer from childhood obesity if you make it a point to get moving each day. As a family set a goal to get moving daily. This can mean going for a walk after dinner. This can mean riding your bike to and from school. This can mean having a fun game of freeze tag with the neighbors, or going swimming at the local recreation center. It does not matter what you do to get moving, just do it. Getting moving helps you to stay active and stay fit. Those who are fit are rarely obese.
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