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September Is National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month
September is National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, and we want to bring awareness to this growing epidemic among our children.
Did you know that 1 in 5 children in the United States are obese?
This is a major concern because children with obesity are at higher risk for having other chronic health conditions and diseases, such as asthma, sleep apnea, bone and joint problems, and type 2 diabetes. They also have more risk factors for heart disease like high blood pressure and high cholesterol than their normal weight peers.
So this poses the question, where do we begin to help our children with the fight against obesity?
There are many factors that can have an impact on childhood obesity, such as physical activity, genetics, metabolism, family and home environment, and community and social factors. But quite arguably the biggest factor is eating habits.
It can sometimes be a struggle to get children to eat healthy, especially with the busy lifestyles we lead, where drive-thru and grab-on-the-go snacks are second nature due to convenience and time restraints. However, studies show that the food we feed our children in infancy and in the early stages of childhood can have a lasting effect on their health as adults, so there’s no better time than now to start creating healthy habits.
Here are 5 simple ways to improve your family’s eating habits:
- Don’t skip breakfast.
Breakfast is indeed the most important meal of the day because it gives our bodies the proper fuel needed to start regulating digestion, converting nutrients into energy to help keep us focused and going throughout our day and helps stabilize hunger so your less likely to snack throughout your morning.
- Keep healthy snacks and food on hand.
Make healthy foods easily accessible to your family (fronts of fridge, counter tops, snack draws, or cabinets). Try to limit or eliminate sugar sweetened drinks and snacks, as they can actually induce hunger more quickly because they don’t contain the proper nutrients to sustain in our body.
- Watch your portions.
Overeating is easy when there’s too much on the plate; try using smaller plates, bowls, and utensils to eliminate the temptation of overfilling with larger portions.
- Eat as a family.
When you cook and eat with your kids, it gives you a chance to select more nutritious foods for your family and an opportunity to observe the foods they are consuming. Also, by involving your kids with cooking, you allow them the chance to make some decisions with their food and they are more likely to eat the meal they helped choose and prepare.
- Keep family meals media free.
Turn off the television or eliminate other forms of media. Eating in front of a screen can actually cause overeating. Being able to eat without added distractions allows both you and them to focus on maintaining better portion control and makes them more mindful of the food they are consuming.
By incorporating these healthy habits into your family’s routine, you are not only reducing the odds of childhood obesity occurring, but also helping develop life-saving habits for your children now and in their future.
At SIHF Healthcare, our qualified pediatric staff prides themselves in providing the best quality care to your child. You can rely on our team of medical experts to assist with questions you have and how to educate yourself, so you fully understand everything about your child’s health. To make an appointment with one of our pediatric providers, visit us at https://www.sihf.org/patient-care-services/pediatrics.