Halloween, Slumber Parties, Birthdays — Sometimes, It Seems Like Childhood Is One Humongous Food Fest!
It is difficult to deprive your child with special delicacies and delights when all her friends are having a grand feast.
However, this simple condition can bring about more trouble than you can think of. Treating your child occasionally may be good, but giving them the chance to devour all the sweets and treats that they want could mean one big problem — childhood obesity.
Genetics and Overweight
In some instances, some people claim that genetics can play a major part in childhood obesity. It does, but not as big as the role that parents’ mindset and influence do. It is a falsehood that genetic materials induce a child to be heavy at an early age.
For the greater part of the population, genetic materials may establish the lower maximum values of people’s weight, but people themselves establish the higher maximum values, by their food choices. In addition, since most kids cannot simply set the limits and choose the food that they need to eat, it is the duty of the parents to set the limits.
Parents Must Set the Limits
You do not know how to do it? Here are some tips that will help you keep track of your child’s food and eating regimen and help him fight childhood obesity.
1. Happy Halloween!
As the only festival dedicated almost completely to overeating on “sugar-laden treats,” Halloween holds an extraordinary place in hell for most parents dealing with childhood obesity.
This can understandably be a very tough time for your child to get through, but you can make it easier. Try focusing on the real spirit of the season and make a special haunted house for the kids, or let them have a “spooktacular” party with ghost stories, rubber spiders, and the old “spaghetti intestines and grape eyeballs” game.
For younger kids, a costume party with pumpkin painting and other activities is always fun. The important thing is that you veer your kids away from any signs of sugary sweets.
2. Overnight Trips
The first solo sleepover can be nerve-wracking for both you and the host parents. Kids old enough for slumber parties and overnight trips are typically at least starting to manage some of their own food and diet regimen, which helps.
Spend some time with the parents in advance of the event to give them a briefing on what your child might potentially need, and make yourself available via phone for any questions they might have. Provide them with healthy snacks that they can eat and give them nutritious foods to cook.
3. Calorie-Conscious Kiddos
It is important to teach your child about the kinds of foods that they are expected to eat. Splurge some time from your busy schedule, in teaching your child the comparative calorie counts of different foods. That will make your child make better food choices.
It is better to teach them early how to read food labels to help boost their food awareness.
4. Snack on the Right Foods
Children are very vulnerable to snacks; hence, it would be difficult to remove them.
The best way to prevent childhood obesity is to allow them to snack on the right foods. Give them some apples instead of a bar of chocolate.
Keep in mind that eating is a habit. If your children’s eating regimen has been accustomed to healthy eating from the very start, they will grow healthy and strong.
Indeed, fighting childhood obesity is not a problem. It is just in the manner parents teach their children about the right “stuffs” to eat.
5. Regular Exercise
The CDC recommends that kids participate “in at least 60 minutes of physical activity on most days preferably daily.” Its important for parents to choose the right activity. One that will involves vigorous training.
Depending on the level, our kids martial arts program has classes 2-4 times a week. The classes are action packed with limited sitting. Kids will get great a workout, limit their screen time and most importantly, they will learn a valuable skill. It is a triple win for all.
For more information about our kids martial arts program and how you can book a virtual 1 on 1 lesson.
Please click the link https://www.lakecountybjj.com/offer/virtual-kids-martial-arts/