Childhood Obesity: Simple Changes, Big Rewards

A wise man – or woman – once said that “it’s the small things in life that matter.” This philosophy could not ring more true than when applied to one’s health and wellness. There is no one thing that, if done (no matter how consistently), will assure good health. Rather, it’s the culmination of many single, relatively small behaviors that, all-together and over time, will foster a healthy body.

With this in mind, I’m often asked what choices my family makes relative to nutrition and fitness that keeps us all healthy and fit. My specific answer to this enduring question often varies, but always simply conveys easy ways to make healthy options the norm in a family’s daily routine rather than the exception – and without the family feeling any sense of loss or deprivation.

What, you ask, might some of these sure-fire yet simple success strategies be? Read on, my friend, for some oh so easy ways to make healthy living a matter of course in your household. This is not about denial which, with the younger set, will surely prove self-defeating. Rather, it’s about strategy, systems, consistency, and moderation. It’s not rocket science, folks. It just takes some forethought and some good old common sense.

• First and foremost, require that your child finish his or her healthy meal before any “treat” type foods are made available. Simply put, the child can NOT have that even occasional cupcake if (s)he has not eaten those veggies! End of story.

• We live in an age where food manufacturers are the most health-conscious in history. Take full advantage of these healthy alternatives. It’s simply not an option to choose those refined sugar-loaded gummy bears when gummy fruit juice snacks in every shape and size are a mere isle or two away.

• Make fresh fruit an exciting dessert. Yes, dessert. Low fat and calorie whipped cream with just a touch of colorful sprinkles atop sliced strawberries or other berries can make children squeal with delight. Rainbow jell-o jam packed with citrus fruit is always a crowd pleaser. When it comes to nature’s dessert, get creative, build the anticipation in advance, and offer it up with as much excitement and reverence as you would a chocolate cake.

• Don’t expect utter perfection of yourself as you work toward your family’s collective health goal. Do what you can to make healthy changes, as dong “something” is better than doing nothing. No time to make homemade oatmeal? Go for those instant bags, instead! Any oatmeal is better than no oatmeal, and it’s certainly better than skipping breakfast or opting for any of those sugary cereals. You can’t get all the way there if you never get out of the starting gate!

• Don’t ask if your family wants a certain veggie or fruit with dinner…make an executive [chef] decision and just serve it up! Knowing that such choices are not an option per se removes the possibility that your family may choose to eat a given healthy items, or not. Praise the child who enthusiastically eats his or her healthy fare, or at least tries it and does “well enough.” And, leverage your kid’s competitive spirit. Offer an eating challenge that he or she simply cannot resist – such as “I bet you can’t eat all of your peas in the next 10 minutes”. You’ll be surprised how far this will take you.

• Be willing to concede for the greater good. My son will only eat a healthy tuna fish sandwich with low-fat mayonnaise in a wheat pita if it has about 4 potato chips placed inside the pocket, too. I figure 4 potato chips is a fair concession to make for a wheat pita full of Omega 3 fatty acid-packed tuna. With kids, all or nothing doesn’t work – be willing to find that middle ground!!

Child health advocate, weight-loss industry veteran and former bodybuilding champion Merilee A. Kern is co-founder and CEO of Healthy Kids’ Catalog ® – an online resource offering Solutions That Foster Healthy ChildrenT. She is also author of the fictional children’s book, “It’s Not Your Fault That You’re Overweight – A Story of Enlightenment, Empowerment and Accomplishment for Overweight and Obese Kids”. She can be reached through her Web sites at http://www.HealthyKidsCatalog.com and http://www.NotFault.com

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