Imagine a world where everyone took their health seriously and there were no premature deaths and health problems. Obesity means a higher risk of health problems. This includes high blood pressure, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and more. In a world where heart problems already cause a high number of deaths, we need to address obesity and one positive step is getting children moving. We’ve gathered some tips for parents to overcome or prevent obesity in their children.
The first obvious tip is to encourage your child to exercise. It doesn’t matter if it’s going for family walks or getting them to join a club or team. The important thing is to get them moving. Regular exercise plays a crucial role in promoting and maintaining a healthy weight for your child, while also mitigating potential health issues in the future. The great thing about exercise is that you’ll also boost their mental health (something else that some children struggle with!).
We all know the importance of food too. We can’t let our children eat endless chocolate and candy and then expect them to be healthy. Parents need to read up on a balanced diet and make sure the food on the plate helps them. Treats are allowed, but good decisions need to outweigh bad ones. Be your child’s hero and eat healthily yourself and they will want to mirror you.
It may seem an impossible task at times but we also recommend limiting screen time. Technology is everywhere and children often find themselves spending prolonged hours glued to screens. This sedentary behavior not only contributes to weight gain but also has a detrimental impact on their overall physical and mental well-being. Parents are advised to establish limits on screen time and encourage alternative activities such as reading, outdoor play, and arts and crafts. You should also lead by example on this one too (so no more endless scrolling social media – sorry!).
Children won’t learn anything if we’re just bossing them around. We need to educate them so that they learn and one day pass great habits onto their own children. You’ll have healthy grandkids too (yay!). This entails instructing them on how to comprehend food labels, elucidating the advantages of regular exercise, and discussing the detrimental effects of being overweight. By imparting this knowledge to children, they will be empowered to make informed choices regarding their health and cultivate lifelong healthy habits.
Atmosphere can also make or break a childhood. We’re not saying you need to fixate on weight but just make good decisions an everyday part of life. This entails commending them for making healthy decisions and refraining from making disparaging remarks about their weight or body shape. By cultivating a positive environment, children will develop self-assurance and find inspiration to consistently make health-conscious choices.
We’re all conscientious parents and it’s time to do your best to prevent obesity. It could be Youth Flag Football or walks around the block. It all counts. By encouraging exercise, promoting healthy eating habits, limiting screen time, educating our children about healthy habits, and creating a positive environment, we can help our children maintain a healthy weight and live a happy life (this is all we want, right?!).