Childhood Obesity Epidemic
First, we need to understand that there is not one magical formula to fix every single overweight child, since gaining weight can be environmental, emotional, physical, or inheritable. Simply put, every child is different and needs a unique plan of action to maintain a healthy weight. Ad campaigns, support from government officials, and even the enthusiasm from First Lady Michelle Obama are all notable, but dramatic change will take place at the grassroots level. Each individual child needs support, consistency, motivation, mentors, tough love, and education on a healthy lifestyle.
Keeping a journal for one week to record your child's diet, physical activity, sedentary time, sleep patterns, and how they hydrate can help a parent decide if any changes are needed. The top cause of childhood obesity around the world is a shift to an 'obesogenic' environment. This means that our genes have not changed, the environment in which children are living today most certainly has.
Over the last 25 years, there have been numerous contributors to this new environment. Among them: For example:
• Fewer children walk to school.
• Greater amounts of homework lead to sedentary lifestyles.
• Technology now entices children more than physical activity.
• The availability of 24/7 T.V. shows for kids encourages increased sedentary time.
• Parents work longer hours, causing kids to make unhealthy food choices in their absence.
• Kids increasingly eat heavily processed foods.
Here are nine points to consider when helping children embark on a healthier lifestyle:
1. Baby steps: Rome was not built in a day, and losing weight doesn't occur overnight. If a child has long-term expectations right from the start, he or she won't be discouraged as easily.
2. Watch the liquid: Many children consume too much "liquid candy" throughout the day. Sugary drinks can easily make up 20 percent of a child's daily calories. According to the Mayo Clinic, cutting 100 calories a day from liquids can help one lose about half a pound after six months.
3. Increase physical activity: Yes, it's obvious, but often, it just doesn't happen. Squeezing in a 30-minute brisk walk each day is a giant leap in the right direction.
4. Offer healthy choices: Often, kids can grab whatever they want from the pantry. Try clearing the shelves of processed, fatty foods, and stock up on healthy choices. If they're hungry, they will eat it.
5. Plan family activities: Parents are children's primary role models. If a parent is sedentary or eats junk food all day, his or her children will likely follow suit. If mom and dad are active and follow a nutritious diet, children will likewise emulate their behavior.
6. Cut back on technology: It's wonderful—it's helped us with advancements in medicine, communication, and entertainment—but it's also contributing to a generation of couch potatoes.
7. Increase fruits and veggies: Make them part of every meal. Fruit is nature's candy, and eating vegetables can actually be fun. You can encourage a reluctant child by dipping veggies into low-fat chocolate pudding or yogurt. Slowly wean him or her off of this strategy over time. Veggies are important because they're rich in vitamins, minerals, complex carbohydrates, dietary fiber, antioxidants, and water content. They also help school performance, by improving memory, focus, and concentration.
8. Control portion sizes: Remember, children aren't mini-adults. Give them meal portions appropriate for their size.
9. Get enough sleep: Research shows that getting adequate sleep each night helps stabilize the hormones related to appetite so the body knows when it's full at meal time.
A little effort goes a long way. Change doesn't happen overnight—but with love, support, and guidance, the current generation of children will lead long, healthy lives. Children who maintain a healthy weight not only have less risk for obesity-related problems, but are more likely to avoid obesity later in life. Just as you put money in the bank to invest in your child's financial future, put a nutritious diet and physical activity into your child's life to invest in his or her health.
And yes Herbalife is safe for children to take. See here: http://herbal-nutrition.net/products/show/id/127/distributor/herbaljunkie
*Cualquier testimonios de salud o pérdida de peso presentados aquí son aplicables a los individuos representados y no son una garantía de su pérdida de peso ni son típicos. Productos Herbalife pueden ser una parte saludable de su programa de pérdida de peso, que incluye dieta y ejercicio.
An extensive questionnaire generated responses from more than 200 U.S. Herbalife Independent Distributors about their weight-loss programs and results. They reported weight loss ranging from 4 pounds to 167 pounds and a reduced body mass index (BMI) of 1.5 points to 24.1 points, suggesting that consumption of Herbalife® products is associated with weight loss and improvement in BMI in those ranges.
**Estas declaraciones no han sido evaluadas por la Food and Drug Administration. Este producto no pretende diagnosticar, tratar, curar o prevenir ninguna enfermedad.
