Parents Do Make a Difference

When it comes to our children’s biggest threat to their health, it is not bacteria or a foreign virus. Our American lifestyle is “supersizing” our children. Current statistics show that one in four children between the ages of 6-17 are overweight. Children who are overweight often have to endure peer punishment – being the last one chosen for a game or being the brunt of unkind jokes and taunts.

But even more alarming are that many are showing signs of long-term health consequences at an earlier age such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and type two diabetes which before 1990, was rarely seen in people younger then 40. In short, being overweight as a child is neither fun nor healthy. And children who are overweight tend to become adults who are overweight unless something or someone intervenes.

Parents still are one of the most influential forces in a child’s life. It is up to us to make a positive difference in our children’s health. Although the hurried pace of our lifestyles in this country tend to work against living out a healthy life, there are many things that parents can do that will improve the health of their children and set up life long habits.

One area where children get a large amount of empty calories is their beverage choice. Encourage children to drink water and low-fat milk for the majority of their fluid needs. Even juices when consumed in large amounts can contribute too many calories. The occasional sweet drink does not usually represent a problem but when regular sodas, sweet tea or juice drinks are consumed on a daily basis, it is very difficult to burn off those extra calories.

Work very hard to have a home cooked dinner at home with the entire family. Today’s fast food meals are easy and inexpensive but they often represent foods high in fat, salt and calories. Finding time for meal preparation is challenging but very important.

Children tend to model what their parents eat. Aim to include fruits and vegetables with meals and/or snacks. Eat what you expect your child to eat and involve your child in planning meals, grocery shopping and food preparation. That way they have some say in what is being served and can take ownership in some of the meals. Making time to cook and eat together develops good habits.

Encourage physical activity by playing games with your children. Walk with them, ride bikes or play ball-anything fun to get them off of the couch. Limit TV and computer time. Again, parents need to model the active lifestyle they want their children to have. Burning calories is half the battle in weight control. Start with small changes until they have become a routine part of your family’s lifestyle.

Pam Green is manager of the Baptist Center for Diabetes and Nutrition Education, a registered and licensed dietitian, and a certified diabetes educator. She earned a bachelor of science degree in dietetics from Louisiana Tech University and has been employed with Baptist Health since 1993. She is married and has two children.