Introduction
Setting goals for your children aimed at developing into healthy adults is essential. But as a parent you must be careful in how you are doing it, otherwise it will backfire, and you will end up witnessing your kids doing the very opposite of what you want to do. That could cost them their health one day--and even their life. Indeed, the problem is quite serious. There has been a marked increase in childhood obesity in the last thirty years, which, in turn, leads to a host of illnesses that were, at one time, mainly adults have experienced. According to the University of Michigan Medical System, some of these illnesses include: Diabetes, hypertension, high blood cholesterol, and sleep apnea, to name a few. Even if your child does not experience any of the above diseases, being overweight can lead to some psychological concerns, such as low self-esteem which, in turn, could lead to depression. Goal 1: Replacing Sugary Snacks With Healthier Ones vs. Placing them on a Diet It 's so easy to try to solve the problem of childhood obesity by a "quick fix," such as a diet. However, diets don 't work for adults, and they are most likely even less successful in children. Placing sudden and severe restrictions on what a child can eat may create more problems than it solves, for your child may get his pop, cheeseburgers and fries from elsewhere, when he believes that he is well out of the reach of your watchful eye. Rather, make it a lifestyle change. Put the healthier snacks--such as a fruit bowl, fruit smoothies, and vegetables--out within their reach. Gradually replace the cookies that you 're so used to giving your child with melons, bananas, apples or oranges. Replace that soda with fruit smoothies. Who knows? Next time your family does go out to eat, you may find your child searching the menu for them. That 's the place you want your child to be. Chart how many times your child reaches for the healthy foods instead of searching for the fruit or fresh vegetable bowl in the refrigerator, then review your observations with him. That is one goal that is reached, and you can reward him with a trip to a place where they sell fruit smoothies, or his favorite restaurant. Goal 2: Get Your Child to See Family Meals as the Highlight of the Day. As the National Institutes of Health advises, mealtimes should be family times. …show more content…
Set a time for it, whether it 's 6:00 or 7: 00 pm. Keep the time the same for the entire week. Use the time for uplifting conversation, and not a time to scold your children over poor eating habits or weight gain. Let them know that TV, iPhones or iPads are not allowed. For according to the NIH, families that do not eat together tend to eat more fried chicken, French fries and sodas and less fruits, vegetables and unsalted nuts than those that share meals. If you make it a positive environment for them, your children will begin to see it as the highlight of their day. Goal 3: More Physical Activity The moment he comes home from school, have jogging sweats and gym shoes ready for your child to put on. …show more content…
Then invite him out with you on a hike, a jog, or a bike ride. The goal you 're setting here is getting him to want to do more physical activity, as opposed to looking to see if the couch and TV are free so that he can watch. If the weather outside is not conducive to such physical activity--instead of having him do one chore on a given day, ask him to take out the trash, sweep and mop the floor and go to the store for you. Assign him a long list of groceries--and get him to walk to the store, instead of giving him a ride there. Make sure the list you provide for him is healthy, not including any pizzas, sodas, or other such snacks. Also, enroll him at a local gym. Find out what the minimum age is there, and if your child is that age or older, proceed. Go with him, and show him what he can do to get himself in shape. Have him start out on a recumbent bike, for instance. You can start
Setting goals for your children aimed at developing into healthy adults is essential. But as a parent you must be careful in how you are doing it, otherwise it will backfire, and you will end up witnessing your kids doing the very opposite of what you want to do. That could cost them their health one day--and even their life. Indeed, the problem is quite serious. There has been a marked increase in childhood obesity in the last thirty years, which, in turn, leads to a host of illnesses that were, at one time, mainly adults have experienced. According to the University of Michigan Medical System, some of these illnesses include: Diabetes, hypertension, high blood cholesterol, and sleep apnea, to name a few. Even if your child does not experience any of the above diseases, being overweight can lead to some psychological concerns, such as low self-esteem which, in turn, could lead to depression. Goal 1: Replacing Sugary Snacks With Healthier Ones vs. Placing them on a Diet It 's so easy to try to solve the problem of childhood obesity by a "quick fix," such as a diet. However, diets don 't work for adults, and they are most likely even less successful in children. Placing sudden and severe restrictions on what a child can eat may create more problems than it solves, for your child may get his pop, cheeseburgers and fries from elsewhere, when he believes that he is well out of the reach of your watchful eye. Rather, make it a lifestyle change. Put the healthier snacks--such as a fruit bowl, fruit smoothies, and vegetables--out within their reach. Gradually replace the cookies that you 're so used to giving your child with melons, bananas, apples or oranges. Replace that soda with fruit smoothies. Who knows? Next time your family does go out to eat, you may find your child searching the menu for them. That 's the place you want your child to be. Chart how many times your child reaches for the healthy foods instead of searching for the fruit or fresh vegetable bowl in the refrigerator, then review your observations with him. That is one goal that is reached, and you can reward him with a trip to a place where they sell fruit smoothies, or his favorite restaurant. Goal 2: Get Your Child to See Family Meals as the Highlight of the Day. As the National Institutes of Health advises, mealtimes should be family times. …show more content…
Set a time for it, whether it 's 6:00 or 7: 00 pm. Keep the time the same for the entire week. Use the time for uplifting conversation, and not a time to scold your children over poor eating habits or weight gain. Let them know that TV, iPhones or iPads are not allowed. For according to the NIH, families that do not eat together tend to eat more fried chicken, French fries and sodas and less fruits, vegetables and unsalted nuts than those that share meals. If you make it a positive environment for them, your children will begin to see it as the highlight of their day. Goal 3: More Physical Activity The moment he comes home from school, have jogging sweats and gym shoes ready for your child to put on. …show more content…
Then invite him out with you on a hike, a jog, or a bike ride. The goal you 're setting here is getting him to want to do more physical activity, as opposed to looking to see if the couch and TV are free so that he can watch. If the weather outside is not conducive to such physical activity--instead of having him do one chore on a given day, ask him to take out the trash, sweep and mop the floor and go to the store for you. Assign him a long list of groceries--and get him to walk to the store, instead of giving him a ride there. Make sure the list you provide for him is healthy, not including any pizzas, sodas, or other such snacks. Also, enroll him at a local gym. Find out what the minimum age is there, and if your child is that age or older, proceed. Go with him, and show him what he can do to get himself in shape. Have him start out on a recumbent bike, for instance. You can start