Make an Impact

Having overweight children can prove a challenge for parents. However, you play a vital role in your children’s lives. Help them learn healthy eating and physical activity habits that they can follow for the rest of their lives. Born to Move video series is a great resource. It offers insight on why Americans are facing an obesity crisis, while providing helpful information on what families can do to instill life-long healthy choices for their kids. View it now to learn positive ways to combat childhood obesity.

Eat Right

There are negative effects to poor food choices and lack of movement. Being overweight increases the risks of many diseases and health conditions, namely,

• high blood pressure;
• high cholesterol;
• high blood sugar (diabetes);
• asthma;
• sleep apnea;
• high body mass index;
• low self-esteem issues.

The only way to tackle and prevent childhood obesity is by learning the benefits of proper nutrition and exercise. Teach children to avoid eating foods that contain too much sugar, fat and empty carbohydrates. Instead, prepare foods that provide adequate nutrition. For example, serve reasonable portions of:

• fruits and vegetables;
• whole-grain products;
• low-fat or non-fat milk or dairy products;
• lean meats, poultry, fish, lentils, and beans for protein;

Also, limit sugar-sweetened drinks and encourage your children to drink plenty of water.

Now, Move

A lifelong love of exercise can start when children are very young. Kids were born to move, and need to expend added calories they consume. Parents can join in the fun by developing a child's sense of excitement and joy in movement, and being role models for healthy lifestyle choices.