Helping Overweight Kids Make Better Choices

There is an epidemic of overweight kids in America. Experts say 15 percent of kids are currently overweight and an additional 15 percent are at risk of becoming overweight.

Sadly, two thirds of overweight kids grow up to be overweight adults. Overweight kids can also have problems with body image and self-esteem that can haunt them for a lifetime.

Determine caloric input and output

Parents of overweight kids should keep a diet and exercise log. Once you have written everything down your child eats, you can easily see where the additional calories are coming from.

Is your child drinking too much soda, milk, sports drinks or juice? If so, limit his or her intake of juice and milk to the recommended servings for his age and do not keep soda in the house.

In addition, encourage your overweight kids to drink plenty of water. Often we mistake thirst for hunger. If you give your body what it really wants; then your hunger may go away.

Get more exercise

Overweight kids should be encouraged to be more active. Make exercise fun by finding a sport your child really enjoys. If she is having fun, she won't think of it as exercise you will be giving her the gift of a healthy body for life.

Avoid fast food and eat meals at home

Additionally, overweight kids should avoid fast food establishments. The typical fast food meal of a cheeseburger, fries and a shake has as many calories as someone should eat in a whole day.

Preparing meals at home will help you save money as well as calories. If you are time crunched, you can prepare several dinners on the weekend, pop them in the freezer and heat them during the week.

Overweight kids should never eat food on the run, or eat in front of the television.

Sit down and have a meal together as a family. Teach your overweight kid to eat slowly, enjoying every bite. Tell them that healthful foods make you feel good, give you energy and help fight diseases such as cancer and diabetes. Set the right example and you may be surprised when they say "more veggies, please!"

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