With 64% of Americans being overweight or obese, it’s no wonder that our children are following in our footsteps and becoming overweight, or workse, developing diseases commonly associated with obesity such as diabetes and heart disease. How do we gain control of this growing epidemic? Let’s start by re-evaluating our lifestyles and teaching children how to choose healthier behaviors. The following is a list that can help to encourage lifelong healthy habits.

1. Model healthy choices – engage in more physical activity and choose healthier foods to eat. Children learn by example, so let’s start out on the right foot and get them to choose wisely early on.

2. Limit fast foods – the fat and calories provided in typical fast food places contributes to heart disease and weight gain. Not that fast food should always be avoided, but healthier choices can be made. For instance, choose a grilled chicken sandwich without cheese and mayo instead of a quarter-pound hamburger with cheese. Order reduced fat milk with a side of fruit. Some fast food establishments offer a variety of lean meats and vegetables. Go for the most color on your sandwich and put it on whole grain bread.

3. Do not put your overweight child on a diet – more problems come from restricting the diet early on in life. Children may overcompensate and not stop when they are full or they may start to sneak food. more…