How can childhood obesity be prevented?

With busy schedules and tempting junk food, it's easy to let children eat too much or eat the wrong thing! If you want to cut down on childhood obesity, give one of these a try.

1. Don't reward children with food. Find other ways to celebrate good behavior. Instead of taking your child out for a scoop of icecream after getting a good grade, how about letting him / her choose out an inexpensive toy or allow him / her to decide on a fun outing such as camping or rollerskating.

2. Practice what you preach. If you're practicing healthy habits, it's a lot easier to convince children to do the same. Incorporate healthy activities into the time you spend with children. Take walks, ride bikes, go swimming, garden or just play hide-and-seek outside. Everyone will benefit from the exercise and the time together.

3. Encourage physical activities that children really enjoy. Remember that each child is unique and may have to experiment with many activities until he or she finds one that is enjoyable. Exercise could be joining the soccer team, doing heavy gardening, or going for a daily stroll through the neighborhood.

4. Limit TV, video game and computer time.
Help children develop a positive self image. Focus on the positives instead of the negatives. Everyone likes to be praised for a job well done.

5. Be an advocate for healthier children. Insist on good food choices at school cafeterias and vending machines. (How about milk and juice instead of soda; fruit and veggies instead of chips and candy?) Encourage school principals to offer more physical fitness opportunities that kids will actually enjoy.