Should Kids Watch What they Eat?

By jennylee | Category: Recipes & Kitchen Tips

Did you know that over 30% children of today are considered  to be overweight?  This can lead to an increase in diabetes and other serious health effects later in life.

So how can adults, who deal with their own weight issues help overweight kids lose weight?  Unlike adults, don’t focus on counting calories, carbohydrates and fat grams. Instead, provide healthy meals and snacks and encourage regular physical activity.  In other words, being a good role model is key to raising a healthy family.

Keep in mind that a pound is equal to about 3500 calories! So if your child is gaining an extra pound a week, he needs to cut his diet back by 3500 calories a week or 500 calories a day so that he doesn’t gain any more weight.  So just figure out how much extra weight your child gained in the past year and adjust his diet to compensate for these extra calories. The change might be as simple as changing to non-fat milk, diet soda or a more healthy after school snack. 

Jenny Lee
Mom, certified nutrition specialist and inventor of the Bee-Z Snack Shop
www.beezsnackshop.com

Posted Sunday, August 26, 2007