Healthy Eating for Children

Working Against Obesity in Children Will Give Them a Better Future

Sep 3, 2009

A University College London study found that the number of children being prescribed weight loss drugs has increased 15-fold. How can healthy eating protect children?

Obesity is a global problem at the moment. According to The Obesity Society more than 64% of US adults are overweight or obese and estimates show that 1 in 5 US children is overweight. In the UK a recent University College London study reported by the BBC showed that there was a dramatic increase in the number of under 18s who were prescribed weight loss drugs between 1999-2006 even though these drugs are not licensed for use by children.

Statistics on obesity in childhood are always worrying. It is likely that an overweight child will carry his or her weight problems into adulthood. They may not all suffer serious medical problems in their youth, but may well have medical issues in the future. Adult obesity can, for example, lead to serious conditions such as diabetes and heart disease. It makes sense, therefore, to work on educating children into adopting healthy eating habits as early as possible to safeguard their health both now and into the future.

Causes of Obesity in Children

Although some children may have medically related weight problems most will simply be overweight because they:

Don't eat a healthy and balanced diet.
Eat too many processed/junk foods.
Don't get enough exercise and lead sedentary lives.
Follow the example of their parents.

Many people blame lifestyle changes for these issues. Developed societies have spent years embracing the culture of convenience and processed foods. People are less likely to walk and more likely to drive. The increase in home technology means that many family pursuits are TV and video game based.

People also now tend to look for quick fixes when there is a problem. They may, for example, be more likely to turn to extreme solutions such as surgical procedures and weight loss drugs than actually attacking the problem at source by changing their eating and exercise habits. And, perhaps most importantly, children are simply not taught the basic principles of healthy eating and exercise any longer.

Healthy Eating for Children can be a Solution

Teaching children about the benefits of healthy eating and exercise may be best started young but this is something that any individual can learn at any age. If their eating habits are already not great then it may take more work to get them to change their learned habits but this can still be done. For example, parents may put in place a healthy eating plan and fitness schedule that includes:

Ensuring that their children eat a balanced diet that gives them the right mix of carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals.
Trying to make sure that children eat at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day.
Avoiding feeding their children processed/junk foods, sweets, chocolates and crisps apart from as an occasional treat.
Being more involved in cooking healthier home-made meals rather than buying TV dinners or ready meals.
Monitoring portion sizes and minimising "habit snacking".
Making sure that children take regular exercise every day either formally (i.e. a sports club) or informally (i.e. walking, cycling or running round a park).

Coping with Healthy Eating Changes

A child that has been taught that sweets, chips, crisps and unhealthy snacks are acceptable things to eat may not take kindly to having a radical change in diet. Parents will have to be prepared to take a firm line and to persevere here. Children may accept a new healthy eating plan in time but may not do so quietly! Parents can make things easier by:

Talking to their children about healthy eating, the benefits of exercise, which foods have value and which foods don't. This will help them understand the changes and why they are necessary.
Adopting a healthy eating plan and getting some exercise themselves so that they can lead by example.
Simply not buying junk foods, unhealthy snacks and sugary drinks. If they aren't in the house then they can't be consumed.
Involving their children in choosing healthy snacks and meals and helping with food preparation. Spending some time together looking for free online recipes may help get them interested.
Turning meal-times in family times where the whole family eats a healthy meal together.
Allowing occasional treats and encouraging kids to make their own home-made snacks.
Considering signing up to the Department of Health's Change for Life scheme.

The benefits of adopting healthy eating in the home brings two advantages. Parents will immediately improve the health and fitness of their child and they will give them important health education for life that will make it less likely that they will have weight related health issues in the future.

Sources: The Obesity Society, BBC Online: "Child Obesity Drug Use Soaring" (2nd September 2009)

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The copyright of the article Healthy Eating for Children in Nutrition is owned by Carol Finch. Permission to republish Healthy Eating for Children in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.