Kids Corner: Healthy Resolutions for the Family
From: Linda Roochvarg, MD
January 01,2009
From: Linda Roochvarg, MD
January 01,2009
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Now that you have finished making New Year’s resolutions for yourself, think about incorporating those same ideas into the lives of your children. Of course, kids want to play with their new electronic toys and computers, and watch the new plasma television. However, our job as parents doesn’t stop when the gifts are unwrapped.
Obesity and sedentary lifestyle aren’t only epidemic in adults—they’re also a tremendous problem for children and adolescents. The prevalence of overweight and obesity in this group has doubled in the last twenty years. Likewise, the consequences of these conditions, such as hypertension (high blood pressure), type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, and hyperlipidemia (including high cholesterol), are becoming much more common in young people. These diseases are no longer only found in adults.
What can we do about this? The answer is clearly PREVENTION—prevention of obesity and prevention of the sedentary lifestyle. Treatment once these conditions occur is extremely difficult and not nearly as successful as prevention.
We are role models for our children, so we need to set good examples. We can’t expect them to eat healthy foods if we snack on unhealthy foods. Lead by example—choose fruit, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat foods for meals and snacks; and select appropriate portion sizes. Talk with your kids about healthy alternates at fast food restaurants. Try not to eat in the car or in front of the television, where mindless eating often occurs.
Kids need time to play and be active. The more inactive they are, the more overweight they become. Thus, your job is to limit the sedentary activities and encourage the active ones. Again, lead by example. Engage in family activities such as riding bicycles, taking a walk, tossing a Frisbee, or swimming.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no more than two hours per day of combined television, video, and computer time for children who are two years and older. One way to limit your child’s media time is to set a timer. When the timer goes off, your child’s media time is over—no exceptions. Instead of allowing the television to remain turned on as background noise, look at the TV program guide in advance and decide what is worth watching. Again, don’t expect children to limit their TV time if they see you watching all day.
You can have a tremendous impact on your child’s development of lifelong physical activity and nutritious eating habits. The choice is yours—exercise it!
For more information, visit the American Academy of Pediatrics website at: www.aap.org/healthtopics.
Linda Roorchvarg, MD Board-Certified Pediatrician |
