There's an attitude that I often see parents, teachers and care givers display. It's one of "They are kids! Let them be kids and eat that stuff now while the can!" It's almost as if we have dismissed solid nutrition entirely in childhood and are looking at it as more of a punishment for adults.
You can't deny the truth though when you go to a playground, a school, a dance class or anywhere large amounts of kids are found...many are overweight. Over the past three decades, the childhood obesity rate has more than doubled for preschool children aged 2-5 years and adolescents aged 12-19 years, and it has more than tripled for children aged 6-11 years. At present, approximately nine million children over 6 years of age are considered obese.
It starts with adults. Whether you are a parent or not any contact you have with a child is a chance to model healthy lifestyle choices, whether it be not smoking, exercising, eating fruits and vegetables, choosing to cook your meals rather than go out to eat. Children are more likely to do as we do and not as we say. Don't believe me, ask a 2 year old to do something for you while they are busy playing. But...sit down next to them and start doing a puzzle and they'll quickly abandon what they were busy playing with and sit down with you to help finish the puzzle.
Make it start with YOU! Here's a GREAT resource if you are unsure about how to make healthy changes for your children, family or even yourself. Small changes make a big difference...start today!
www.letsmove.gov
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