| Obesity Defined | | | | resistance and the pounds will slowly melt away. |
| Simply defined obesity means having to much fat, to | | | | TV Smarts |
| be exact, 20% higher than the ideal weight for a child | | | | TV commercials are deceptive and are perceived by |
| of a certain age and height. | | | | children much differently than by adults. Commercials |
| | | | always show attractive and well built people eating |
| Kids in families where the parents are obese tend to | | | | and drinking high calorie foods. Nothing wrong with that, |
| also become obese. The eating habits of the family | | | | except what is not shown is that the reason they look |
| cannot be overlooked as they can be responsible for | | | | like they do is physical activity, and lots of it. |
| excessive caloric intake. This is why it is important to | | | | Children don't look passed the advertised products so |
| establish healthy eating habits not only for the child, but | | | | it is important to teach the child to evaluate |
| for the whole family as well. Obviously nothing can be | | | | commercials more carefully and objectively. |
| done to change the influence og genetics, but the | | | | Healthy Meals and Snacks |
| combination of healthy eating habits and physical | | | | It is important to keep only healthy foods in your home. |
| activity are a huge factor in helping the child maintain a | | | | For snacks have healthy things like fruit and cut up |
| healthy weight. | | | | veggies easily accessible. It is no secret that most |
| Medical Causes | | | | common snack foods have little or no nutritional value. |
| Medical causes of obesity are uncommon but they do | | | | Also, try to stick to a schedule for mealtimes and use |
| exist and are very real. Before starting any weight | | | | a balanced diet pyramid when planning meals. |
| control efforts it is highly advisable to see a doctor to | | | | Fast Foods |
| make sure that a medical condition is not causing the | | | | Over-consumption of fast food is a huge problem and |
| child to be overweight or obese. | | | | a major cause of child obesity. Just take a look at |
| If there is a medical condition, weight control requires a | | | | some commercials and the menus at fast food chains. |
| different approach under a doctors supervision. | | | | Marketing campaigns target children, promoting |
| Electronic Media Diet | | | | super-size portions, two for the price of one and |
| Kids today have unlimited and uncontrolled access to a | | | | all-you-can-eat offers. |
| whole slew of electronic entertainment which includes | | | | The reality is that fast food nutritional value is minimal |
| television, video games, computers, hand held | | | | at best and falls totally outside of the definition of |
| computer games and cell phones. | | | | healthy nutritious food for children as well as adults. |
| Children spend hours daily immersed in the media of | | | | Have you ever considered how much physical activity |
| choice, wasting valuable time that the child can be | | | | is required to burn off the excess calories from a |
| spending on indoor or outdoor physical activities. | | | | super-sized fast food meal? |
| Children often munch on unhealthy snacks while sipping | | | | Off the Couch and Get Physical |
| soft drinks when they are involved watching TV, | | | | Get involved as a family unit in things like riding a bike, |
| playing games or just cruising the internet. | | | | hiking, walking, a stroll in the park, swimming, jogging, |
| These snacks are another source of calories that | | | | working in the yard - the possibilities are countless. |
| because of inactivity, are not burned off and | | | | Doing things together as a family makes it easier to |
| accumulate in the body in the form of fat. The | | | | transition into a healthy lifestyle change for the whole |
| cumulative effect over time is quite serious and shows | | | | family. |
| up on the scale as excess weight. | | | | The important part is that the child does not feel |
| Parents must be sensitive to this and take action to | | | | singled out, and is much more likely to become |
| restrict access to electronic media at home by setting | | | | interested and get involved. |
| time limits. This is bound to create some opposition, but | | | | Be sensitive to the fact that every child is different, |
| the free time that becomes available can be wisely | | | | and so it is important to understand what your child |
| used for physical activity. | | | | likes. That would be a good starting point from which |
| Explain to the child the reason for curtailing the screen | | | | you can expand into related and more diversified |
| hours and get involved with the child in whatever | | | | activities with time. |
| physical activity is chosen. Make it fun and the | | | | |