Taking Control of Obesity
Taking Control of Obesity
Annaisso Hooper
ENG 122 English Composition II
Sharon Hanscom
February 6, 2012
Taking Control of Obesity
What is being done about childhood obesity and how could parents improve good healthy habits? Parents should be mindful of the foods children eat and exercise routines. Childhood obesity is often a result of a lack of nutrition, exercise, and self control. Childhood obesity is a growing epidemic in the United States. Parents are role models and should demonstrate healthy eating habits, exercise routines, positive self-esteem and teach long-term weight control to help maintain a healthy weight and good habits that will prevent obesity.
Developing good eating habits as a child can reduce the risk of one becoming obese. Parents have control of what children eat, beginning at birth. Children need to eat fresh fruit, vegetables, fat free and low fat dairy products, whole grains, and seafood. To maintain good health one has to maintain a healthy body weight and meet nutrition requirements. Preparing home cooked meals is the best way to demonstrate healthy eating habits and portion control. Eating together at the dinner table give parents a chance to discuss why it is important to eat healthy and what healthy foods are. That gives the children an opportunity to ask questions and get answers. At snack time, parents should offer children snacks that are not loaded with sugar and fat. Taking children to grocery shopping is a good way to explain what healthy foods are and healthy eating habits. Therefore, if parents teach children how to make good food choices that are a positive start too healthy eating.
Exercising regularly is vital in a child’s life. Overweight children are at risk of heart disease, joint problems, sleep apnea, diabetes and possibly long-term health problems. Adding exercise in a child’s lifestyle is as important as adding healthy foods. Therefore, when a child get accustom to that lifestyle they can
Annaisso Hooper
ENG 122 English Composition II
Sharon Hanscom
February 6, 2012
Taking Control of Obesity
What is being done about childhood obesity and how could parents improve good healthy habits? Parents should be mindful of the foods children eat and exercise routines. Childhood obesity is often a result of a lack of nutrition, exercise, and self control. Childhood obesity is a growing epidemic in the United States. Parents are role models and should demonstrate healthy eating habits, exercise routines, positive self-esteem and teach long-term weight control to help maintain a healthy weight and good habits that will prevent obesity.
Developing good eating habits as a child can reduce the risk of one becoming obese. Parents have control of what children eat, beginning at birth. Children need to eat fresh fruit, vegetables, fat free and low fat dairy products, whole grains, and seafood. To maintain good health one has to maintain a healthy body weight and meet nutrition requirements. Preparing home cooked meals is the best way to demonstrate healthy eating habits and portion control. Eating together at the dinner table give parents a chance to discuss why it is important to eat healthy and what healthy foods are. That gives the children an opportunity to ask questions and get answers. At snack time, parents should offer children snacks that are not loaded with sugar and fat. Taking children to grocery shopping is a good way to explain what healthy foods are and healthy eating habits. Therefore, if parents teach children how to make good food choices that are a positive start too healthy eating.
Exercising regularly is vital in a child’s life. Overweight children are at risk of heart disease, joint problems, sleep apnea, diabetes and possibly long-term health problems. Adding exercise in a child’s lifestyle is as important as adding healthy foods. Therefore, when a child get accustom to that lifestyle they can
References: Dietary Guidelines for Americans (2010, January 10). Retrieved from http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/dietaryguidelines. Kids Health. Retrieved from http://www.kidshealth.org. Paul, M.W., Robinson L. (2011, February). Nutrition for Children and Teens [Web log post]. Retrieved from http://www.helpguide.org.