Monday, October 6, 2014

Ways For Parents To Help Their Children Get To A Healthy Weight

By Asleen Saturday


The rate of childhood obesity is increasing at an alarming rate, so much so that it has become an epidemic. This serious issue is something that any parent needs to be aware of. How come we're seeing so many children becoming overweight?

What kind of drinks does your child usually consume? Soda and other high-sugar drinks are being consumed by many kids today. Besides soda, energy drinks, which are high in sugar, are very popular among children. Also, a lot kids today hang out at coffee shops where they end up ordering a latte or some other high calorie coffee drink. Even fruit juice, which many parents assume is healthy, can contribute to the problem. Fresh fruit is a better source of fruit than juice, as juice is highly concentrated and high in sugar. Nothing beats pure water as the best beverage to drink. You can also try giving your child herbal teas, as these are low-calorie alternatives and a lot healthier than sodas and other sugary drinks. You need to help your child cut back on consuming unhealthy beverages if he or she is to get to a healthy weight.

It's important that you encourage your child to develop healthy eating habits, but be careful that you don't get too restrictive. Many parents become too restrictive and completely forbid their children to eat the foods they love, but this just makes their children feel deprived. This is how binge eating in children start because children end up eating in secret the foods they aren't allowed to eat.

Many children grow into adults having this bad habit. You'll have more success if you cut back on your child's consumption of the foods instead of completely eliminating those foods from his or her diet. If your child loves pastries, for example, you can let your child have some every few weeks or so. When they do eat such foods, make sure they eat sensible portions.

There are parents who become so frustrated with their children that they wind up dealing with their children's weight problem negatively. Criticisms and insults won't help your child get to a healthy weight. Harsh words are only going to cause your child's self-esteem to plummet. It's much better for your child if he or she sees you being positive and encouraging. When your child eats something healthy or is active, praise him or her. If you take a constructive approach to modifying your child's behavior, you'll be met with much success. Explain why it's important to exercise and eat healthy foods. Encourage kids to eat better and exercise by coming up with rewards that don't involve food, such as a fun outing.

You just have to plan it well. You can set aside a couple of hours, perhaps on Sunday, to cook a lot of bulk foods that are ready for the week. As a parent, you can do many things to make sure your child stays at a healthy weight. You've just read some things you can do to help your child acquire habits that are healthy. If your child indeed is overweight, it's important that you keep your expectations realistic and that you be patient. Losing weight, whether for an adult or a child, isn't an easy thing to do. You'll need to help your child get to a healthy weight.




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