In recent years, obesity has become a major
epidemic not only in this country but around the world, affecting not only
adults but children as well. And, as children become increasingly overweight,
their risk of developing adult diseases like metabolic syndrome, type 2
diabetes, asthma, sleep apnea, orthopedic complications, and even hypertension
and heart disease also increases. All adults are encouraged to
educate and inspire children to stay active and make healthy food choices most
of the time.
Every day, kids are faced with unhealthy options when it comes to
food and exercise. Sugary cereals with prizes inside, fried foods in the school
cafeteria, chips and candy in the vending machines and the endless temptations
of fast-food chains everywhere they go. The same is true for exercise. Why play
outdoors when computers, video games, and the TV are right there in the living
room? Here are a few tips to motivate kids to eat better and exercise more:
Get involved at school. If your cafeteria
where your kids go to school frequently serves dishes like fried chicken
nuggets, pizza, and french fries, work with the school board if you can to make
some changes to the menu. This can take some time (and you’ll need the help of
other parents), so in the meantime your kids will be better off if you pack a
healthy homemade lunch, filled with fiber-rich, nutrient-dense fruits and
vegetables, 100% whole-grain bread for sandwiches made with lean meats (or
no-sugar-added natural peanut butter and sugar-free jelly or jam), along with low-fat
milk as a beverage. If your children’s school recently eliminated gym class
and/or recess as so many have due to budget cuts, then it’s especially
important for you to make sure your kids get some exercise at home. Take them
on a walk (with the dog if you have one), play games with them outdoors or
invite their friends over for playdates, or motivate them to participate in
after-school sports through the “Y” or other organizations.
Expose
your children to new things. Whether it's a new healthy food or a
new get-moving after-school activity, kids need variety. Regularly providing
them with a range of new good-for-you foods for meals and snacks and coming up
with fun ways to keep fit will automatically improve their health and fitness
over time. Keep in mind that children who
lack body confidence may be slow to adopt exercise. You may need to expose them
to many different forms of fitness before they find one that they feel
comfortable doing. Be encouraging, but don’t make them feel worse about
themselves than they already do. The motivation to change has to come from within,
but gentle coaxing can be useful.
Set a good
example. Parents are their kids' primary role models. Children
learn what to eat and how to exercise from watching what their parents do, and
statistics show that overweight parents are more likely to raise overweight
children. So, if you’re already following the South Beach Diet lifestyle,
you’re doing the right thing! Since you are enjoying a variety of highly
nutritious foods and exercising on a regular basis, you’re already setting a
good example and hopefully educating your children on how to be healthier.
See all South Beach Diet Tips