Obesity in Little Kids

It's heartbreaking to see an overweight child of kindergarten or pre-school age that cannot easily run and play with the other kids. A kid needs to be able to be a kid, without being burdened with the problem of obesity. Being an overweight child really is big problem, because without the activity to burn off calories, the weight just keeps piling on.

If your are the parent of an overweight child you must consult with a doctor to recommend the best possible course of action that will safeguard the health of your child.

Children need to be taught to eat healthy foods for proper growth and to develop healthy dietary habits for a lifetime. Diabetes, heart disease, high cholesterol, and other ailments begin with obesity.

Very young children must rely on their parents to provide their meals. The parents need to control the kind of food and serving sizes, based on the child's age and activity level. Food should never be used to reward or to punish a child.

Teach your child to make healthy choices, offer them apples and bananas for snacks. It's okay to baby them, peel the apples if needed, or encourage them to have a pieces of fruit with a cookie or graham cracker. The fiber in these foods will fill their little tummies and satisfy hunger for a longer period of time.

Vienna sausages, Jell-O squares, raisins, dried cranberries, frozen yogurt, and fruit cups are good snack choices that most kids love. Provide healthy snacks for the entire family, rather than junk food.

Cook for your family by making baked goods and healthy meals at home. By making your own recipes you can avoid the glut of bad fats, food dyes, MSG and preservatives that are in most pre-prepared foods.

Encourage your kids to drink more water, it fills their tummies and keeps them well hydrated. Remove the soda pop, sugary flavored water, and juices which are all full of empty calories.

Don't allow your child to sit in front of the television all day. Join them in some activity, when the music plays on their favorite program, dance with them. Take a break yourself and go outside with them to toss a ball around or take them for a little walk. When they are outside playing they are not eating and they are strengthening their muscles and burning calories.

Kids will learn from their parents either good or bad habits. If you love your kids set a good example for them by staying active and keeping junk food out of your diet.