PARENTS: Keep Your Kids Healthy

Obesity in kids is a growing epidemic in America. More than 15% of children are overweight or are at risk of becoming obese. Adolescent obesity has increased significantly in recent years due to the demand for fatty foods and lack of exercise.

Obesity is one of the easiest diseases to diagnose, but extremely difficult to treat. In fact, obesity has caused over 333,000 death in the US in the past year.

Overweight children and adolescents are more likely to become obese as adults. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 80% of children who were overweight at aged 10–15 years were obese adults at age 25 years; 25% of obese adults were overweight as children. Moreover, if a child is overweight before 8 years of age, then obesity in adulthood is likely to be more severe.

The prevalence of childhood obesity is increasing. There are a number of factors contribute to this trend:

1. Diet: Kids diets shouldn’t be too restricted because they are still growing. However, regular consumption of high calorie foods (such as fast food, candy, vending machine snacks, soda) can lead to excess weight. Food high in sugar and calories should be limited.
   
   
2. Exercise: With 700 channels on TV, movies on demand, and interactive video games, it’s no wonder some children don’t want to go outside. However, inactive kids are more likely to gain weight because they aren’t burning calories through physical activity. Watching too much television or playing too many video games contributes to this problem.
   
   
3. Family Life: It’s important to keep nutritious foods in the house. Don’t buy too many high calorie/fatty treats and foods at the grocery store. Leave fruits on the counter where kids can reach them instead of sugary snacks. It’s also important to stick to a schedule for meals and allow for nutritious snacks. Try snacks like fruits, vegetables or mini-pizzas on whole wheat pita.
   
   
4. Psychology: We’re all guilty of it- emotional eating. Some children, just like some parents, eat when stressed or bored. Instead, encourage kids to take part in outdoor activities to pass the time. Also, avoid rewarding your child’s good behavior or trying to stop bad behavior with food.
   
   
5. Genetics: Genetics help determine body type, just like hair color and eye color. Studies have shown that a child's risk of obesity greatly increases if one or more parent is overweight or obese. In addition to a genetic predisposition, people in the same family often have similar eating habits and level of physical activity.

What is "obese"?

The CDC helps identify overweight and obese children. According to the CDC, a BMI between the 85th and 94th percentiles indicates your child is overweight. A BMI in the 95th percentile or above indicates that your child is obese.

However, BMI doesn’t take into account a large degree of muscle or a large body frame. So, your child’s doctor will take growth and development into consideration when doing the overall weight assessment.

Before it's too late, let our team of professionals help you and your family improve your habits and start towards a healthy new you. We have many different opions to choose from, ranging from kids, teens to adults wellness programs, encouraging proper nutrition, physical activity and counseling.
... All of these services can be individualuized per your needs and will help you achieve your dream look and health, you always wanted for yourself and your family!

Parental involvement

You can play a role in your child’s weight.

Eating habits and exercise patterns are often established during childhood. You, the parent, have a strong influence on the behaviors of your child. You determine what foods are purchased and eaten, you determine what and when dinner is eaten, and you help determine in what activities your child participates. Your rules and policies can reinforce healthy behaviors or can serve as the foundation for unhealthy future choices.

While young, children seem to naturally stop eating when they are full. However, by age 5, children become more responsive to external cues. They are more likely to eat all of the foods presented to them, rather than eating portion sizes that fill them up.

As you know, children begin to make their own choices as they age. They go to school, start spending more time away from the home, and they begin making their own choices regarding food and exercise. So, it’s important to build a strong foundation early on so your child can make healthy choices once more independent.

You are role model for your child . You can set a good example by modeling healthy eating habits and being physically active.  

There are ways to decrease your child’s risks of becoming overweight or obese. Good habits start at home. Take control of your family’s health. Remember these simple tips:

• Encourage physical activities. Get one hour of physical activity a day (make sure to check with your doctor before starting a workout regimen). Exercise can be walking, running, swimming, dancing, yoga, or home activities like vacuuming, lawn mowing, snow shoveling, raking, etc. Create your own dance with your favorite music.
• be supportive of their children's athletic and other physical activity interests and enhance opportunities for them to play outside and engage in both recreational activities as well as incorporating an active lifestyle into daily routines
• Motivate each other; get family and friends to do physical activity together. This is good quality time spent together.
• Exercise and nutritional food are good for the heart and emotional health.
• Don’t use food as a reward.
• Reduce T.V. and video game time. Limit screen time to 2 hours or less (unrelated to school of course!)
• Keep nutritious food in the house
• Limit fast food and high calorie treats, such as candy, cookies and cakes. Provide health snacks like multi-grain bread, fruits, vegetables, beans, etc. Eat fruits and vegetables at least 5 or more times a day.
• Avoid soda and juices. Instead provide water and low fat skim milk or 1% milk.
• Portion size should be age appropriate
• Encourage family meals 5-6 times a week. . Studies show that the more families eat together, the more likely older children and adolescents will consume fruits, vegetables, grains, and calcium-rich foods.
• Allow your child to self regulate at meals; do not force them to clean the plate
• Encourage daily breakfast like Oatmeal (natural), Multi-wheat bread, egg whites, fruits, milk.
• Assist and educate children in making healthful decisions regarding types of foods and beverages to consume, how often, and in what portion size.
• Discuss weight status with their child's health-care provider and monitor age- and gender-specific body mass index (BMI) percentile.

Healthy kids make healthy adults! Teach your children to make healthy food choices. Speak with your child’s healthcare provider if you have questions regarding your child’s weight and development.

How our program can help

The staff of the NICE Weight Transitions Program welcomes family discussion regarding habits at home. It's ideal to explore the family atmosphere so general changes can be made at home to improve the health of both the child and the family overall.

Before it's too late, let our team of professionals help you and your family improve your habits and start towards a healthy new you. Our programs are tailored for each individual to fit specific schedules and meet specific goals.

Please browse through our website or call us today for more information.

Learn More about the NICE Adolescent Obesity Program >