Averting Childhood Obesity Begins at Home

By Dave Owen

It's newsworthy how often families nowadays rely on the education system to instruct their youngsters all sorts of things other than just reading, writing and arithmetic. A lot of parents assign the obligation for averting childhood obesity on the shoulders of the school board as well, believing that gym courses and nutrition should be a piece of the school's course of study so that kids can stay fit and healthy. But this is a very ill-judged attitude by parents and one that is a surefire method of disaster. To combat childhood obesity and to keep youngsters fit and healthy, there must be modifications made in the home first and foremost.

One of the reasons that parents can't trust the school systems to accept this is that many schools just cannot provide gym courses the way they once did. Schools are usually overcrowded these days so the gymnasium needs to perform as the lunchroom for more hours than ever before. Without daily physical activity, childhood obesity is an almost sure thing. And just teaching a child about calories and fat and nutritional content of food doesn't mean that he or she is going to avoid junk food and fast food also! Just knowing about these things isn't motive enough to help a child make the choices needed to avoid childhood obesity.

A parent's model and what goes on in the home is definitely a better indication of whether or not childhood obesity can be avoided. Children generally adopt lifestyle choices and attitudes from their parents whether they're aware of it or not. Parents that are active and that always have something to do will likely raise children that are active and busy as well. Those parents that sit on the couch each evening and on the weekends could find childhood obesity a problem in their own home. This is because children are being taught to be sedentary and inactive. If a parent takes the effort to cook meals that are simple but nourishing a child will learn to value nutritious food and to take the extra time and effort required to prepare such dishes. But when a parent is constantly falling back on drive-through meals and other poor dietary choices, a youngster may learn that such food is acceptable. This too will lead to cases of childhood obesity in the home.

Parents too can set limits with their children while they're with them to assist avoid childhood obesity. No one can totally control their child when they're on their own, but serving only nutritious meals and snacks when children are home will reduce any damage they may be doing by eating junk at every other time! Many cases of childhood obesity are also linked to in activeness during the day and evening. So parents can plan times to go to a zoo, aquarium, or other places where everybody walks around. Other way to help avoid childhood obesity by biking, walking, playing catch, playing Frisbee, setting up a badminton net, or other activities that involve all the family members.

As a parent, you must take responsibility for the health of your child. This includes making sure that he/she gets proper nutrition along with adequate exercise. Without this, they may become one of the many kids that are falling thru the cracks into obesity. - 33373

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