1) Did You Know?

National trends show alarming increases in the rate of overweight and obesity. Nearly 12.6 million American children older than age 6 are currently overweight. There is a strong likelihood that being overweight as a child will lead to being overweight as an adult—an almost 80 percent chance that overweight adolescents will be overweight as adults. Being overweight poses both long-term and short-term challenges for children and adults. Unfortunately being overweight is associated with a number of serious health problems, like type 2 diabetes and hypertension, which are affecting younger and younger children these days.  Evaluate your family’s eating and activity status and make changes that result in a healthier lifestyle.

2) What Can You Do To Keep Your Family Healthy?

Keep healthier foods within easy reach.

Choose and enjoy small portions at home and at restaurants.

Make sweetened drinks, high-fat foods, and foods with low nutrient value less accessible.

Support and enable family physical activity.

Support and enable reduced screen time.

3) Be a Role Model

Children look up to their parents and want to do the things that they are doing. We know from research that if you eat nutritious foods, are physically active, and maintain a healthy weight, chances are your child will do the same. When you are physically active on most days, eat lots of fruits and vegetables, or drink water or low fat milk instead of soda, you are sending a powerful message to your children. Without even knowing it, you are being a role model for your family.

4) The Balancing Act

Reaching a healthier weight is a balancing act. The secret is learning how to balance your “energy in” and “energy out” over the long run. “Energy in” is the calories from the foods and beverages you have each day. “Energy out” is the calories you burn for basic body functions and physical activity. You are the most important influence on your child. You can do many things to help your children develop healthy eating habits for life. Offering a variety of foods helps children get the nutrients they need from every food group. They will also be more likely to try new foods and to like more foods. When children develop a taste for many types of foods, it’s easier to plan family meals. Cook together, eat together, talk together, and make mealtime a family time!