Childhood obesity has doubled in the past 20 years, and one in five U.S. children is overweight or obese.
Eighty percent of obese children become obese adults. This statistic shows how important it is to help children live healthy and active lifestyles. Some health concerns due to obesity are diabetes, asthma, sleep apnea, type 2 diabetes, depression, lower self-esteem, and mental health problems. These health concerns are enough to spur the fight against the obesity epidemic for our children, but there is also the fact that more than $117 billion is spent per year in the U.S. due obesity-related health issues.
These statistics show how important it is for parents and caregivers to understand about living a happy and healthy life.
It can be confusing trying to figure out what to feed your children and how much. When trying to determine the “what” and the “how,” you need to take into account your child’s gender, age, and activity level. In order for your child to benefit from the food he or she eats, the national guidelines suggest that children need to eat more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, as well as participate in 30-60 minutes of vigorous exercise each day. These guidelines are to help your child receive the right amount of nutrients each day so that they are growing in a healthy way.
As an active and healthy parent you can encourage your children with a few easy tips:
A good way to help your child feel like he or she is independent in food choices is to give him or her two or three options of healthy foods and let them decide which snack they would like, or what type of vegetable they would like with dinner. A simple technique like this will allow the child to grow up and make choices about healthy eating. A good example would be to tell your child he or she can either have green beans, broccoli, or squash.
For more information, contact Amanda Raines, Wellness Works Kids Program Coordinator, at (864) 725-4665 or araines@selfregional.org
*If your child is overweight, consult a physician before her or she begins a diet or exercise program.
