Parent's Leadership May Influence Kid's Weight Loss

What does your child see when they look at you? Does your child see your lifestyle as an active or sedentary lifestyle? When you gain a few (or more than a few) pounds, do you increase your physical activity or change your diet in order to lose weight? The rate of childhood obesity is increasing every year and it seems to be out of control. One third of all children are now considered to be overweight or obese. Much of the reason for this is that a lot of kids spend too much time sitting in front of a TV or computer.

To Lose Weight, Parents Must Lead the Way for Kids

It's a simple fact that if kids are fat then they're probably eating too much and not getting enough exercise. The solution is to get them to eat less of the bad foods and more of the healthy, nutritional foods. But kids will be kids and it's not going to be something they can do on their own.

You, as a parent, are going to have to lead by example. If your level of physical activity is such that you are a bit overweight, or even obese, then it's time to take charge of your future and the future of your child's health. Learning about and leading with weight loss is going to be a big part of that new lead-by-example approach.

Tips for Successful Weight Loss Leaders Who Lead by Example

As a parent, and leader of your new weight loss clan, it's up to you to institute some changes in the way things were done before. Be careful to introduce change gradually into the daily schedule. perhaps eating in front of the TV is now going to be replaced with the whole family eating together at the table.

Another good change is to stop consuming so much sugar. One of the main culprits of weight gain is soda. There are typically about 10 packets of sugar in a 12 ounce can of soda. Changing to water eliminates some of that sugar. How about taking a walk after dinner every evening? Or heading over to the park to play a casual game of soccer? All of these little things begin to add up to weight loss if done regularly. When losing weight or maintaining weight, parents should take the lead and be the example.

Kids Need to be Educated About How to Lose Weight

Weight loss is not a difficult thing if folks just get a little knowledge on the subject. Teach your kids about whole foods by stocking the kitchen with fruits they will like. Keep vegetables stocked so they can make some healthy snacks. Rather than a piece of cake or a soda, encourage them to eat fruits and drink water.

The last time I was at the grocery store, I was shocked at the people in the line in front of me. Not one person was buying whole foods to be prepared at home or cooked. Most of the food items being purchased were pre-packaged, frozen, or prepared foods. These items tend to be high in preservatives, sodium, sugar, hydrogenated fat, and other things that might not make them the healthiest choice of food. Teach your kids to cook and prepare food at home. There is nothing like coming home to smell the pleasing aromas of food being prepared in a kitchen at home. Eating food prepared at home is a great step toward losing weight.

Be the leader and a positive role model for weight loss in your home by eating more nutritious foods and less junk food. Don't even bring that bad stuff into the house. Lead by controlling portion sizes and eating less at meals for ultimate weight loss. Finally, get up from that sofa, stop watching so much TV, and lead your family to be more physically active every day. It has to start somewhere so why not with you. Your kids healthy future may depend on your leading by example

Sources:

MayoClinic.com; "Childhood obesity: Make weight loss a family affair"

KidsHealth.org; "Overweight and Obesity"

CanOfSoda.com; "How much sugar is in one can of soda?"