Less activity and greater caloric intake has meant a rise in the number of overweight children. Approximately one in five children in our country is now overweight, and the number of obese children has nearly doubled in the last twenty years. The most common reasons for this increase are the same as for adults, unhealthy eating habits and lack of physical activity. On average, American children spend 24 hours each week watching television and/or playing video games, usually snacking while doing so. This adds up to weight gain and a pattern of inactivity that promotes enjoyment of a sedentary lifestyle. Neighborhoods that used to be filled with children playing are now often quiet and empty. Fast food restaurants are thriving, supplying meals designed to appeal to children, which are usually comprised of fried foods and soft drinks. Breakfast cereals marketed for children are typically sugar-coated, school lunches are often high in fat, sodium and sugar, and vending machines filled with candy bars, chips and sodas are readily available. The latest soft drink ads show a very young girl, barely having lost her baby teeth, happily polishing off the last drop of soda. These ads are cleverly designed to make money without regard for what the products may be doing to the health of our children. To hook children on sugar and caffeine will no doubt assure future customers and make millions, but it also makes for a very unhealthy bunch of kids and future adults. It is up to each of us to set the proper example so that the next generation will not inherit the many problems associated with being overweight.

How do you go about helping a child who is already overweight? First and foremost, overweight children need support, guidance and acceptance from the people around them. Children are more willing to make necessary changes if they receive encouragement and love. It is very important to talk to your children about food as it relates to health, and to allow them to share their questions and ideas with you. Once understanding has been established, seek out ways to increase physical activity. Limiting television is a step in the right direction. Find out what your child's interests are. Encourage your children to participate in sports or just going outside more often to play. Even reading burns more calories than watching television! The very best way to help a child to become more active is to be a active yourself. If your children see that you are physically active and are having fun, they are more likely to follow suit. Go to the park, take walks and hikes, play games, go sledding and bicycling, there are dozens of activities that you can enjoy. These activities burn as many calories as a good workout in the gym. Let your child have a voice in what types of things he or she would like to do, often overweight children feel uncomfortable about participating in certain activities. It is important to help your child find things that are enjoyable and that are not embarrassing or difficult. The point is not to make physical activity a chore, but to make it fun, so that it will become something to look forward to.

Secondly, educate your child about nutrition. Gather information on your own or talk to a professional who can give you guidelines and offer healthy options. Sit down with your child and develop your own acceptable and unacceptable food lists based on what you have learned. Again, if children see you setting the example, and are involved in this education process, they are very likely to follow your guidelines. Develop the proper attitude about eating. Let them know that foods are to be enjoyed, but more importantly, necessary for them to grow into strong and healthy adults. Do not focus on calories, this often creates an unhealthy focus on dieting and body image, another problem we surely don't want our children to struggle with. Simply offer a variety of healthy foods at home, and limit those empty calorie snacks.

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