[nancynic]

According to statistics, 15% of 7-9 year olds are overweight. This is an increase in the past several years. Being overweight in childhood increases elevated cholesterol and Type II Diabetes.

There is no quick and easy solution to lose weight ... it requires long term modifications in lifestyle and eating habits. Here are some tips:

1. Set realistic goals - as children grow taller without losing weight they will naturally become thinner, so sometimes maintaining weight is the key.

2. Encourage exercise - walking, jogging, biking, rollerblading are all great ways to burn calories.

3. Choose healthy and nutritious foods - provide fruits and cut up vegetables for snacks and encourage water rather than soda.

4. Make sure your family eating habits include eating at the table, not in front of the TV or in the car!

5. Reward your children for eating in a healthful way - for example if the drink water rather than soda for a week, reward them with a fun activity.

6. Follow up with your pediatrician.

7. Be supportive and offer lots of encouragement.

Do you have other ideas about helping kids stay healthy? Share them with us.

NancyNic

[lucyjoy]

Never mention a child's weight to them. Get rid of TV and video games and strictly limit computor use. Go outside with your kids and encourage outdoor play. Don't buy a lot of sugary, fatty foods. Keep lots of fruit and veggies and healthy food. My kids like yogart. For treats, they like juice bars or those freeze sticks that have almost nothing in them to create fat. Serve food in normal portions. Most portion sizes are too large. Then, if they ask for seconds, give them seconds. Avoid fast food and if they say they are full, do not make them clean their plates. It's important for them to learn to listen to their bodies cues for hunger and fullness.

[Just Julie]

I agree with Lucyjoy about keeping healthy snacks available. When mine were little, the rule was they had to eat one tablespoon of everything at meals. That's about 4 green beans or carrot slices, a very small mound of potatoes or gelatin salad, nothing a child couldn't handle. They learned to experience a wide variety of foods. Now none of mine choose fast foods and none were ever overweight. I have even caught them (boys!) making salads for after-school snacks! Teach them to cook and read recipes from a young age. They can choose the menu and cook one dinner and one dessert a month. Let them help shop for the ingredients. They begin helping you in the kitchen and as they get older, the tables turn and you are helping them. Make it fun!