Childhood Obesity: Prevention in a Healthy Way

Childhood obesity is a serious condition in children that has been on the rise lately. Obesity is a chronic disease that affects both children and adults. It is linked to several other chronic diseases and conditions such as type-2 diabetes, heart diseases, arthritis etc. The rate of obesity among children has been observed to have doubled over the years. This is due to many factors including diet change and decreased exercise.

It is important to prevent childhood obesity due to the likelihood of its persistence into adulthood and the difficulty of treating it as the child continues to grow.

How to prevent childhood obesity

The genetic makeup and the lifestyle of a child are the significant contributors to their weight. The following steps can help to prevent childhood obesity:

Physical activity

In both schools and at home, physical activity for children should be highly encouraged. Children should be given the opportunity to engage in sporting activities such as swimming, playing football, dancing etc. This can also help to ensure the ease of continuity of such activities even in adulthood.

Diet and nutrition for childhood obesity prevention

Many people tend to focus less on the sugar intake of children or sometimes do as much as encourage very high consumption of sugar in them, as they are seen as only kids that should be allowed to eat anything. This should not be so as a healthy diet is equally as important in children to prevent early onset of obesity and obesity-related diseases. A child’s diet should be rich in fresh fruit and vegetables. Fruit and nuts can be used to replace sweets and candy. Children can also be encouraged to take water rather than soft drinks or carbonated juices.

Modeling a healthy lifestyle for children

Parents and guardians should strive to model a healthy lifestyle to children as they are more likely to imitate the lifestyle practices of their parents. People who consume a high sugar, high fat diet are more likely to feed their children with what they eat. This unfortunately could be a predisposing factor in childhood obesity. By eating healthy and engaging in regular physical activities, good examples are being set which the children are most likely to pick up.

Portion monitoring

Eating excess amounts of food is linked to obesity hence children should be made to eat adequate portions of food. This is not saying that children should be starved or deprived of food but also children shouldn’t be served or made to consume excess amounts of food as it could predispose them to obesity.

Getting rid of temptations

Stocking the refrigerator with food items that are not healthy such as junk food, snacks high in salt or sugar would only make the children more likely to consume such food. Parents that want to encourage a healthy eating lifestyle in their children should make available all around the house healthy food items. These could include stocking the refrigerator with vegetables, eggs, chicken, fruit and other healthy substitutes.

A word from Healthfacts

In the journey towards preventing obesity in children, parents should not go overboard and place their children on restrictive diets that prevent them from getting the required minerals, vitamins and essential components needed to facilitate proper growth. Rather, focus should be placed on developing healthy lifestyles and eating habits.

48 COMMENTS

  1. Terrific article! This is the type of info that are meant to be shared
    around the net. Disgrace on the seek engines for now not positioning this publish higher!
    Come on over and visit my site . Thanks =)

  2. Howdy would you mind stating which blog platform you’re using?
    I’m looking to start my own blog in the near future but I’m having a tough time choosing between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and Drupal.
    The reason I ask is because your design seems different then most blogs and I’m looking for something
    completely unique. P.S Apologies for getting off-topic but I
    had to ask!

  3. Its such as you read my thoughts! You seem to understand so
    much approximately this, such as you wrote the e-book in it or something.

    I feel that you simply can do with a few % to power the
    message house a little bit, however other than that, this is excellent blog.
    A great read. I will definitely be back.

  4. Just want to say your article is as surprising. The clearness in your post is
    simply spectacular and i can assume you’re an expert on this subject.
    Well with your permission let me to grab your feed to keep updated with forthcoming post.
    Thanks a million and please keep up the gratifying work.

  5. I am curious to find out what blog system you happen to be using?

    I’m having some small security problems with my latest website and I’d like to find something more risk-free.

    Do you have any solutions?

  6. I have been exploring for a little for any high-quality articles
    or weblog posts on this kind of space . Exploring in Yahoo I ultimately stumbled upon this web site.
    Studying this info So i am satisfied to exhibit that I’ve an incredibly good
    uncanny feeling I came upon just what I needed.
    I so much indubitably will make sure to do not overlook this web site and provides it a
    glance on a continuing basis.

  7. Awesome website you have here but I was curious if you knew of
    any discussion boards that cover the same topics discussed here?
    I’d really like to be a part of online community where I can get opinions
    from other experienced individuals that share the same interest.
    If you have any suggestions, please let me know. Thanks a lot!

  8. The other day, while I was at work, my sister stole my iPad and
    tested to see if it can survive a thirty foot drop, just so she can be a youtube sensation. My apple
    ipad is now broken and she has 83 views.
    I know this is completely off topic but I had to share it with someone!

  9. You actually make it seem so easy with your presentation but I
    find this matter to be actually something which I think I would never understand.
    It seems too complex and extremely broad for me. I’m
    looking forward for your next post, I will try to get the hang of it!

  10. Hi there, I think your website may be having internet browser compatibility issues. Whenever I look at your blog in Safari, it looks fine however, when opening in IE, it’s got some overlapping issues. I simply wanted to give you a quick heads up! Apart from that, wonderful site!

  11. Hello there, I discovered your blog by way
    of Google at the same time as searching for a comparable subject, your web
    site got here up, it appears great. I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.

    Hello there, just become aware of your blog via Google, and located that
    it’s truly informative. I am going to be careful for brussels.
    I’ll be grateful if you continue this in future.
    Many folks will be benefited out of your writing. Cheers!

  12. I do not even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was
    good. I don’t know who you are but certainly you are going to a famous blogger if you
    are not already 😉 Cheers!

  13. Hello there! I could have sworn I’ve been to this blog before but after going through some of
    the posts I realized it’s new to me. Anyways, I’m definitely happy I came across it and I’ll be book-marking it and checking back regularly!

  14. I like the valuable information you supply in your articles.
    I’ll bookmark your weblog and check once more here regularly.

    I’m moderately sure I’ll be told many new stuff proper right here!
    Best of luck for the next!

  15. hi!,I love your writing very much! share we keep in touch extra approximately your post on AOL?
    I need a specialist on this space to solve my problem. Maybe that’s you!
    Looking forward to see you.

  16. Magnificent web site. Plenty of helpful information here.
    I’m sending it to several pals ans also sharing in delicious.
    And of course, thank you for your sweat!

  17. Pretty part of content. I just stumbled upon your site and in accession capital to
    assert that I get in fact enjoyed account your blog posts.
    Any way I will be subscribing to your augment or even I fulfillment you access consistently rapidly.

  18. This design is wicked! You certainly know how to
    keep a reader amused. Between your wit and your videos, I
    was almost moved to start my own blog (well, almost…HaHa!) Great job.

    I really loved what you had to say, and more than that,
    how you presented it. Too cool!

  19. Hey I know this is off topic but I was wondering if you knew
    of any widgets I could add to my blog that automatically tweet my newest twitter updates.
    I’ve been looking for a plug-in like this for quite some time and was hoping maybe you would
    have some experience with something like this. Please let me know if
    you run into anything. I truly enjoy reading your blog and I look forward to your new
    updates.

  20. Hi there! I know this is kind of off topic but I was wondering which blog platform
    are you using for this site? I’m getting fed up of WordPress because I’ve had problems
    with hackers and I’m looking at options for another platform.

    I would be fantastic if you could point me in the direction of a
    good platform.

  21. I know this if off topic but I’m looking into starting my own blog and was wondering what all
    is needed to get set up? I’m assuming having a blog like
    yours would cost a pretty penny? I’m not very web smart so I’m not
    100% positive. Any recommendations or advice would be
    greatly appreciated. Appreciate it

  22. Sweet blog! I found it while searching on Yahoo News. Do you have any suggestions on how to get
    listed in Yahoo News? I’ve been trying for a while but I never seem to get there!
    Appreciate it

  23. Hi there! I know this is kinda off topic but I was wondering if you knew where I could locate a captcha plugin for my comment form?
    I’m using the same blog platform as yours and I’m having trouble finding one?
    Thanks a lot!

  24. Link exchange is nothing else but it is just placing the other person’s web site
    link on your page at suitable place and other person will also do similar in favor of you.

  25. It’s a pity you don’t have a donate button!
    I’d definitely donate to this outstanding blog! I suppose for now i’ll settle for
    book-marking and adding your RSS feed to my Google account.
    I look forward to new updates and will talk about this website with my Facebook group.

    Chat soon!

LEAVE A REPLY