Helping Our Overweight Children

The number of children who are overweight continues to increase. One in five children is obese!

Helping children with weight is a multifaceted problem. Kids need support, guidance and most of all an understanding that healthy eating and physical activity habits are important now and later. Parents can provide guidance by:

• offering food choices that follow the food guide pyramid in terms of balance and options;
  setting a food example by eating with kids and making healthful food choices
• not using food as a reward or punishment
• letting your child decide when they had enough to eat
• helping your children learn to accept responsibility for the food choices they make
• encourage regular physical activity

Source: American Dietetic Association - http://www.eatright.org/Public/

Other Links:

• Wheat Foods Council: http://www.wheatfoods.org/
• http://www.obesity.org/subs/childhood/
• http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/pubs/bibs/topics/weight/childhoodobesity.html

For more information contact Palm Beach County Cooperative Extension at 561-233-1742.