Children and obesity: today’s parents have a longer life expectancy than their children

The current generation is the first generation in American history that is not expected to live longer than its parents. The main reason: obesity. Doctors are concerned about childhood obesity because it can lead to life-threatening conditions like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, asthma, and sleep apnea. Unfortunately, social isolation and discrimination can also be a result for the obese child. Although obesity can be related to a person’s genetic makeup, there are important behaviors under our control that can reduce the likelihood of excessive weight gain. So what can parents do to protect their children from the dangers of childhood obesity?

Limit passive television, Internet, and video game entertainment. Which is the magic number? Two hours a day or less.

Rarely give your children sugary sweets or high-fat treats. You should never allow your children to eat sugary sweets or soda on a daily basis. Our kids only get sugary treats maybe once a week or twice a month. And, as a result, they don’t yearn for them or haunt us for them. Healthy snacks include bananas, carrots, newton figs, grapes, and other fruits. Fruit juices also contain a lot of sugar. Mix water with about 1/6 of organic fruit juice. This will keep your kids hydrated, keep calories down, and still give them some flavor and vitamin C. Of course, it’s even better if you can juice the fruit yourself.

Make them move! It doesn’t necessarily have to involve expensive gym classes, structured swim lessons, or an overly scheduled lifestyle. Do you remember when you were a kid? Most of us spend a good chunk of our childhood entertaining ourselves by running around the neighborhood playing games. We weren’t thinking about exercise, we were just doing it. Chase your kids around the yard or take a family walk at night. Just make sure they move their bodies every day.

Eat at home. An important reason for eating at home that many people may ignore is the fact that you can control the cleanliness of your food. A friend of mine who worked in a four-star restaurant went to work one day with the flu. When I asked him why he was coming in and taking care of the food, he said he wouldn’t be paid and might even be fired for missing a busy weekend shift. But when it comes to obesity, portion control is the main reason to eat at home. Today’s dish in the average American restaurant was yesterday’s dish that fed an entire family.

Hide the vegetables. With children, especially picky eaters and preschoolers, you can introduce vegetables into their diets by making food fun. For example, you can turn a salad into a cartoon-like face, or a plate of whole grain pancakes into a clown face with strategically placed berries. Also, make a list of your favorite dishes and think of creative ways to make them healthier.

With collective education and effort, we can reverse the dire prediction about longevity for the very young among us and help make them the healthiest generation that has ever lived. It is up to us to protect our children.