How to Prevent Obesity in Children

Obesity in children is a growing problem in this country. With the ready access to a lot of food all of the time and less activity being prevalent, it is no wonder that children are getting bigger than ever. But there are some things that you can do in order to prevent this obesity in children.

Turn off the TV
The first thing that you need to do is turn off the television. Kids spend far too much time in front of this thing and this is time that they could be doing something that is better for their bodies. You should limit all screen time, including video games and being on the computer outside of homework. This can help get your child up and moving.

Cook more
Make sure that you are cooking healthy and wholesome meals for your child to enjoy. A lot of times parents will make something out of a box or from the freezer section at the store. These foods are so unhealthy and add a lot of calories that are not needed, especially if your child is just sitting and watching TV all day. Go for options with lots of lean meats, healthy fruits and vegetables, good dairy, and a limited amount of fats and sugars for the best results preventing obesity in children.

Do not eat out
Eating out is one of the worst things that you can do for your child. Going out on occasion is fine, but many families are going out several times a week and this is contributing to the growing waistlines of many children. Make meals at home and skip out on the drive thru, or make something ahead of time at home so that you can be ready on those busy days and you will be able to help prevent obesity in children.

Promote physical activity
In addition to eating a lot of healthy food, you need to make sure that your child is getting up and being active. You can make this into a whole family activity with a walk or a nice bike ride after supper together. Or you can make sure that your child is in some sport or activity after school or hanging out with friends. Make sure that they get at least an hour of physical activity each day to stay in the best shape.