| Fat is one of the biggest problems facing children and | | | | processed, sugar and fat-laden meals along with no |
| teens today. Childhood obesity is on the rise, and as | | | | exercise fit the lifestyle all too easily. |
| parents you have a choice - be a contributor or be a | | | | If you want your children to be healthy and fit today |
| role model. | | | | and in their adult years, you need to set an example |
| Here are some alarming facts: | | | | for them now by eating healthier and exercising |
| - There are 9 million overweight teens in the U.S. today, | | | | yourself. Value must be given to these habits, and the |
| and childhood obesity rates have tripled since the | | | | best way to do that is to be the best role model you |
| 1970's. (The National Center for Disease Control and | | | | can. |
| Prevention). | | | | Here are a few suggestions to help you be a healthy |
| - Between 16 and 33 percent of children and | | | | role model for your children: |
| adolescents are obese (American Academy of Child | | | | - Practice portion control - whether it's in a restaurant |
| and Adolescent Psychiatry). | | | | or at home, check out the food on your plate and |
| - By 2035, there'll be a double digit increase in heart | | | | consider that your stomach is only about the size of |
| disease and related deaths because of the increasing | | | | your fist. |
| obesity in U.S. teens (New England Journal of | | | | - Keep track - know what your kids are eating, where |
| Medicine). | | | | and when. |
| Obesity is not only a weight problem. It's a social | | | | - Make school lunches - choose healthy turkey, |
| problem as overweight children are more likely to | | | | veggies and fruit. |
| suffer from low self-esteem, taunting and isolation | | | | - Don't buy junk food - if it's not in the house, no one |
| from other kids. They're also more likely to carry their | | | | can't eat it. Have it once in a while as a special treat, |
| extra weight into their adult years leading to more | | | | not a regular part of your diet. |
| health concerns. | | | | - Educate your whole family - a book or a class on |
| Only a generation ago, dinners were eaten together, | | | | food and nutrition will help you stay on track. Try the |
| school lunches were often brought from home, and | | | | "You" series books by Doctors Oz and Roizen. |
| pre-packaged or fast-food was the exception rather | | | | They're fun to read for the entire family. |
| than the rule for meals. And, let's not forget exercise. | | | | - Give up processed and fast-food - wean your family |
| Kids actually played (meaning they moved their body in | | | | off anything that's a pre-made meal in a box, |
| some way) outside every day. In today's dual income, | | | | hydrogenated oils or high fructose corn syrup. |
| computer age, over scheduled household, highly | | | | - Exercise - go on family biking or hiking outings. |