Take a Stand Against Childhood Obesity

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Take a Stand Against Childhood Obesity

In the last 30 years, the number of overweight children in the United States has

doubled and the number of overweight adolescents has tripled. Childhood obesity

is now considered an epidemic. Both the federal and local governments are

responding to this crisis by developing and funding initiatives to help improve

nutrition and promote physical activity at home, in schools, and throughout

communities - an effort that will hopefully help reduce the estimated 300,000

deaths per year (in the general population) associated with being overweight or

obese.

You can do your part to combat childhood obesity by setting a good example. Your

children will be far more likely to learn good eating habits if they see you

making healthy choices. So, when you give your kids snacks such as vegetables,

low-fat cheeses, and nuts, be sure you eat them, too. Invite your children to

help you prepare food in the kitchen - they'll learn lessons about healthy

eating and enjoy spending the time with you. And lastly, be sure to keep the

whole family active. Play an active game of catch or tag with your younger

children and take older kids biking, walking, hiking, and swimming.

" It's important to teach children about good nutrition and break bad eating

patterns early on, before they become habits, " says Dr. Agatston. " The basic

principles of The South Beach Diet&trade: lifestyle - choosing healthy fats and

carbohydrates over saturated fats and highly processed carbs - are ideal for

kids, and this lifestyle might even help diminish the current epidemic of

obesity and early-onset diabetes that we're seeing in teens and preteens today, "

he adds. Log on to The South Beach DietT Online for more ideas about how you and

your family can begin a healthy meal plan together.