Healthy Families

In Sunday's issue of the Cedar Rapids Gazette there was an article, Weighty Issues, that addressed the topic of child obesity.

The main focus on childhood obesity right now is in Georgia where forty percent of the children are considered overweight or obese. The program Fit Families - Get Active With Mercy Medical Center focuses on five goals: five servings of fruits and vegetables, three meals a day, no more than two hours of television and computer combined, one hour of physical activity, and fewer sugary drinks.

The problem with addressing the obesity problem with your child is that when children realize that their own parents think they're not "good enough" their self-esteem plummets. According to Bobbi Marti, a clinical dietitian for Fit Families, don't use the word weight but focus on health.

In the book You'd Be So Pretty If . . ., Dara Chadwick advised parents to talk to their children about their weight in a round about way. Indirectly ask your child how he feels about his or her weight. Make sure that they know your love is unconditional. Make small changes that the whole family can participate in, such as taking a walk around the neighborhood after dinner or playing a friendly game of basketball.

Instead of letting the easily accessible foods be candy and potato chips, set out a bowl of apples, or place a bunch of bananas on the counter. If you're going to improve the "food quality" of your child, you have to make some changes to your own diet also.  Paula Diers, a dietitian with St. Luck's Nutritional Center said that including your children in your meal planning and making time makes them more likely to try new foods. Families who cook together eat healthier and it's a great bonding mechanism. And remember, eating healthy and exercise go hand in hand.

Plan together, eat together, exercise together and be healthy!