Weight problems in children

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Childhood obesity

(Page 3)

SET A GOOD EXAMPLE

Try to make mealtimes pleasant with conversation and sharing, not a time for scolding or arguing. If mealtimes are unpleasant, children may try to eat faster to leave the table as soon as possible. They then may learn to associate eating with stress.

Involve children in food shopping and preparing. These activities offer parents hints about children's food preferences, teach children about nutrition, and provide children with a feeling of accomplishment. Children may be more willing to eat or try foods that they help prepare.

Children are good learners, and they learn best by example. Setting a good example for your kids by eating a variety of foods and being physically active will teach your children healthy lifestyle habits that they can follow for the rest of their lives.

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TEACH HEALTHY EATING HABITS

Teaching healthy eating practices early will help children approach eating with the right attitude: that food should be enjoyed and is necessary for growth, development, and for energy to keep the body running. Offer your children healthy options, and allow them to choose what and how much they eat.

Do not place your child on a restrictive diet to lose weight, unless a doctor supervises one for medical reasons. Limiting what children eat may be harmful to their health and interfere with their growth and development.

Guide their choices rather than dictate foods. Make a wide variety of healthful foods available in the house. This practice will help your children learn how to make healthy food choices.

Parents should offer the whole family a wide variety of foods from each of the food groups.

Most of the foods in your diet should come from the grain products group (6-11 servings), the vegetable group (3-5 servings), and the fruit group (2-4 servings).

Your diet should include moderate amounts of foods from the milk group (2-3 servings) and the meat and beans group (2-3 servings).

Foods that provide few nutrients and are high in fat and sugars should be used sparingly. Fat should not be restricted in the diets of children younger than 2 years of age.