Obesity in Children and the Parental Role

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1. What advice can you give parents who come to you for help with the following issue: "My two children are overweight, what can I do?" Thank you!

Interestingly, not all children who are heavy grow up to be overweight adults. However, there is an epidemic of childhood obesity in this country, and all parents should be aware that for every year that a child remains overweight, his or her chances of growing into an overweight adult increase. There are many very simple preventive and education types things that parents can incorporate into their daily routine, such as setting limits, setting a good example, emphasize nutritious foods, eat together (using meal time as a teaching tool to model and talk about healthy choices and appropriate serving sizes), and encourage drinking water rather than high calorie fruit juices.

Parent role modeling is a leading factor in preventing childhood obesity. Role modeling healthy eating habits is a parental responsibility. Parents who model healthy living through eating a balanced, healthy diet and getting regular exercise are
taking the most effective action to help to prevent their child from developing childhood obesity and related illnesses.
"Children do as much learning at home as they do at school. If your child sees you enjoying healthy foods and living an active lifestyle, he or she is more likely to do the same now, and for the rest of their life," says pediatrician Dr. Wilma Arruda (see http://bcma.org/public/news_publications/releases2005/Role%20Modeling%20.pdf.). ...