Tackling Childhood Obesity: Teaching Kids Healthy Habits

I am a HUGE proponent for ending childhood obesity. It's not just about making sure kids are active enough, or forcing fruits and veggies down their throat, or denying them a happy meal. Those things aren't going to make a lasting change.

It's about teaching kids healthy habits that will carry into the future when they are independent. It's about being a proper role model, including your children in exercise as a family, limiting time on technological devices, making nutrition a priority in your household, and teaching your kids the importance of health and exercise as they grow up.

Here are some easy ideas:

Nutrition

1) Let kids pick their fruit and vegetable from a few choices for each meal. By giving them a choice, fruits & vegetables are no longer your child's enemy. It may be fun for them to choose and help you prepare their meal.

2) Fun shapes are always an easy way to make healthy foods kid friendly. Kids should be begging for fruit, not candy or cookies. (And, I mean whole fruit - not juice!)

3) App Store: AwesomeEats App. This is a kid friendly, nutrition-based, educational app. It's quite cute and gives nutritional facts before each game. Good for basic nutritional information (for mom, dad, and kids)

Exercise

1) Family walk after dinner. Make it a daily habit. You could even JOG. (Am I already pushing your buttons?)

2) Play at the park as a family. The kids can definitely have time on the jungle gym, but take a ball or a frisbee and get the whole family involved!

3) Join a gym with a "kid-nasium," boot camps for kids, swimming lessons, pool activities, etc. It'll be good for kid-to-kid interaction, learning exercises, and new games to play at home. This eliminates the "this game is boring" complaint when you're figuring out an activity.

Technology

1) No TV in children's bedrooms.

2) No video games. (They do make children's fitness games with bike attachments. This could be a fun way to mix up exercise, however I'd limit it to once or twice a week. Get your kid on a real bike outside!)

3) Limit TV, computer, iPad, iPhone to one hour daily. No exceptions. A movie and popcorn should be a treat, not a daily occurrence. Just because technology comes with educational apps does not mean they're not sneaking off to play Angry Birds and whatever that annoying talking cat is.

Do I sound like a health nazi? I grew up without these things, and I thank my parents for that. I think your kids will, too.

Bad Excuse for Not Exercising: "My kids get in the way."

Work around your kids' schedule as best you can; waking up before they do may not sound appealing, but many parents say it's the only time they can be sure to get in an uninterrupted workout and some much-needed alone time. Alternatively, work out with your kids—try hiking, walking, biking, or playing an outdoor game.

More bad excuses at: http://health.usnews.com/health-news/diet-fitness/fitness/slideshows/fitness-excuses/6

Happy Monday! :)