Heading Off Childhood Obesity Starts at Home

It's of concern how frequently families nowadays trust the school system to teach their children all sorts of things other than just reading, writing and arithmetic. A lot of parents put the obligation for averting childhood obesity on the shoulders of the school board as well, assuming that gym classes and nutrition should be a piece of the school's course of study so that children can continue to be fit and healthy. This is a very shortsighted position by parents and one that is a surefire formula for disaster. To combat childhood obesity and to keep youngsters healthy and ablee-bodied, there must be modifications made in the home first and foremost.

One of the reasons that parents can't rely on the school systems to accept this is that many school systems just do not provide gym courses the way they once did. Our schools are normally overcrowded now days so the gymnasium needs to perform as a lunchroom for more hours than ever before. Without daily physical exercise, childhood obesity is an almost certainty. And just instructing a child about calories and fat and nutritional content of food doesn't mean that he or she will be avoiding junk food and fast food also! Just knowing about these things is not motivation sufficient to assist a child make the choices needed to avoid childhood obesity.

A parent's example and what goes on in the home is definately a better indication of whether or not childhood obesity can be avoided. Children typically learn lifestyle choices and attitudes from their parents whether they're aware of it or not. Parents that are active and that regularly have activities to do will probably raise children that are active and busy as well. Those parents that sit on the couch each evening along with 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 prepare meals that are simple but nourishing a child will learn to value wholesome food and to take the extra time and effort required to prepare such dishes. But when a parent is regularly falling back on drive-through meals and other poor dietary choices, a youngster may learn that such food is satisfactory. This too will lead to cases of childhood obesity in the home.

Adults too can set limits with their children while they're with them to assist avoid childhood obesity. No one can altogether control their child when they're on their own, but serving only nutritious meals and snacks while children are home will decrease any damage they're doing by consuming junk at every other time! A lot of cases of childhood obesity are also linked to inactiveness during the day and evening. With this in mind parents can schedule times to go to a zoo, aquarium, or other places where everyone walks around. They can also help avert 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 oe of the many kids that are falling thru the cracks into obesity.

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