The Prevention of Obesity In Children and Teenagers

Depending on where you grew up, you may have spent all of your free time outdoors running around with friends. This went a long way towards keeping you healthy and may have led to good habits in your adult years. Today, it seems that more and more children are being diagnosed or labeled as obese, and this can extend to the teenage and adult years. There are some things you can do in the way of prevention of obesity in children of all ages so that they are not obese or in bad health when they are adults. Often, good habits should start young and parents have more power than they think.

At times, obesity can have a genetic component, but that does not mean you should resign yourself or your children to being overweight and unhealthy. You can fight genetics, but it may take a bit more perseverance on your part. Don't use it as an excuse, however, as you can take your life back. If you work on your weight without focusing too much on it in front of your children, they learn your good habits and do not think that being bigger is okay just because everyone in their family is big. Lead by example for the prevention of obesity when you can and you will all be better off.

Start young with prevention of obesity in your children. Do not allow them to sit in front of the television all day or play video games for hours on end. Send them outside to play when you can, and go with them for the sake of your own health. Even if you are busy, you can always find time to get outside so that you and your children can get some exercise, even if it is not for very long. If you live in an urban area and it is hard for your children to go outside, see if the local YMCA or your school district has activities for children so that they can get moving.

What you eat and what you feed your children can be a problem. You may be busy and want to make or buy quick and easy meals, but these are not always the best nutritional choices for you and your family. For the prevention of obesity, learn new eating habits. You do not have to be perfect with well balanced meals each and every time, but shoot for at least 90% of meals in the healthy category. If you feed your children good food, they learn to love those foods. Later, when presented with choices, they are going to make good ones more often than not. They will choose strawberries over cake sometimes with your good influence.

You may do all that you can in the prevention of obesity, but still have problems. At times, there are medical reasons why you and those in your family are prone to being overweight, which may mean you need to go a different route to good health. Do not be afraid to see your doctor about this problem, as it is about your children as much as it is about you. You may learn some things about your health and a new way to look at health, eating, and exercise. Sometimes, this is the key to getting on track to a healthier lifestyle that can prevent obesity problems in your children and even their children.