Parents want the best for their kids. They try to give them the world and buy them whatever they want (within reason). However, most parents don’t understand that the greatest gift they can give their kids is a healthy lifestyle. Parents are the foundation of preventing childhood obesity, which is such a wide spread epidemic within the world these days.
Most people, as well as parents themselves, don’t understand how powerful their actions are on children. Children mimic parents and other role models in almost every behavior known to man. That means parents need to understand the simple steps they can take in order to help achieve a healthy life style for their children before it gets too late.
Our guts aren’t always right when it comes to deciding what to do in certain situations, so here are some myths to help clarify what you should and shouldn’t believe regarding combating childhood obesity.
Myth #1: “In our family, we are just big-boned,” parents think that their child is obese based on their family genetics
False: Dayton’s Children’s says that being overweight has nothing to do with bones and instead is due to the fact of having too much body fat. Most of the time body fat lies around the hips and waist where there are zero bones. Having an excess amount of body fat here can not only lead to obesity, but also serious medical issues like diabetes and liver cancer.
Myth #2: Setting realistic goals for your child is the first step in combating childhood obesity
True: Weight loss can be a difficult thing for anybody to accomplish, especially for children who don’t totally understand what’s wrong with them. The National Institute of Health, says that according to the goal-setting theory, unattainable goals impair performance and discourage goal-attaining behavior. This means that if a child sets an unrealistic goal, and doesn’t end up being able to accomplish it, they might blame themselves and feel less driven to partake in any more healthy behaviors.
Myth #3: Childhood physical education classes play an important role in the prevention of childhood obesity
False: According to Medical News Today, physical education classes do not play a significant role in preventing childhood obesity. For some children, physical education classes are the only form of exercise they receive on a daily/weekly basis. However, that is not nearly enough physical activity to combat childhood obesity. If kids want to lower their weight they need to participate in exercise constantly and not only when it’s mandated.
Myth #4: Children who are obese should be put on a diet
False: Most people think that diets are an automatic solution to health issues like obesity. However, that is extremely inaccurate. Help Guide, explained that unless directed by your child’s doctor, a diet is not the way to approach the situation. To find out how they suggest combating childhood obesity, click here.
Myth #5: A lack of access to fresh fruits and vegetables is responsible for the obesity epidemic
False: According to the Washington Post, fewer than 5% of the US population lives in “food deserts,” however roughly 65% of the nation is obese. Obesity is not related to access of nutritious foods, but rather to the choices people make when in convenience stores or presented with junk-food options. The basis of obesity resides in parent’s and children’s lack of self control as well as portion control.
Myth #6: Learning by doing allows your children to become more engaged in healthy eating habits
True: It is a well known fact that children mimic the actions of their role models. By parents cooking healthy options in front of their kids and leading by example, children are more susceptible to want to partake in the same behaviors. Help Guide gives multiple tips, like giving your kids age appropriate jobs, to make them more involved in the kitchen.
Myth #7: “It’s just baby fat-my child will lose weight as they grow”
False: Most children who are overweight in their adolescence tend to carry those same habits into their teenager and adult lives rather than “outgrow” the fat. Dayton’s Children’s explains that it is crucial to check in with your doctor if you suspect that your child’s height/weight ratio isn’t typical for a normal kid that age.
Myth #8: Banning sweets and sugary beverages will solve all obesity related issues
False: Most of the time parents think that if sweets and soda options aren’t available in their own houses, then their children will avoid eating or drinking them in situations where they are present. On the contrary to this, Help Guide said that by banning these foods/drinks an invitation for cravings and overindulging when given the chance occurs. Help your kids resist the urge, and don’t completely ban the sugary products, just limit their availability.
Myth #9: Healthy eating habits are formed in the earliest stage of a child’s life
True: Although different children can be more or less picky compared to others, the basis of a healthy lifestyle starts when they are all just beginning to grow. Appetite to play (@appetitetoplay) takes pride in encouraging physical activity and healthy eating with kids ages 0-5. Their mission is to instill children with healthy habits, and reduce the overall rates of childhood obesity. There’s no better time to start forming your child’s healthy habits then when they’re young!
They Will Thank You Later:
Childhood obesity is something that effects not only children, but parents and families of those children. It is a wide spread epidemic that we, a world wide population, need to combat and abolish immediately. It isn’t something that is going to be easy, however with the millions of tips and tricks across the internet, in studies, and in books, we can fight the malicious disease. Your child’s future begins with you, pave it accordingly.
Healthy Choices 