How to Be Aware of Childhood Obesity

Some of us as children were not fed the most appropriate types of diets which may have led to our current destructive eating habits.  We have since grown, got married and had children of our own.  Of course, we always want better for our own kids . . . and it starts with us, doesn’t it?  Is there a better place for their great beginnings?

Try as we may, we want our children to be healthy, fit and happy.  And, well, they should be.  We do have some control as a parent, at least during their young impressionable years . . . before society gets a hold of them and makes them feel much different about themselves.

When they are babies we feed them according to doctor’s orders and give them a well balanced diet with the meat, fruits, veggies, dairy and grain . . . as it should be.  When they go to school and are among friends, temptations are before them and, of course, who can resist?

Having 4 growing children, as a mom we could not afford hot lunches at school and it was their special treat to get a hot lunch one day a week, otherwise they would brown bag it.  We need to try and have some control over what they eat, though we cannot watch them 24/7.  Then there is the problem of peer pressures, self esteem and people making fun of us, even our children.  We can never fully know and imagine exactly what our children may go through while away from us.

A lot of the time, childhood obesity can be as a result of low self esteem and as I stated we cannot control what the child may be facing at school.  We do however want to keep an open communication with our children, best we can.  We know as parents they do not always want to tell us everything (and that always made me feel bad to some extent).  We cannot control that at all times but we can control how we handle things at home with our own children.

We need to let our children know how very important they are to us, how special they are, raise their self esteem as much as you possibly can.  Have heart to heart with your children about things you have gone through in your own child hood that they can relate to, to know it is ok; they will get through it.  Discuss with them some fun ways to possibly deal with stresses in their daily lives rather than turning to food for “relief”.

Children in this day and age don’t seem to get the appropriate exercise as they did years ago either.  When my kids were growing up, it was easy to get my daughters out and they did participate in dance and recitals, friends, playing, swimming.  The boys on the other hand were masters of the video games and that was a struggle to get them to go out and play.  There are so many things for kids to do these days so . . .  when it is nice outside, get them to go play, ride their bikes, sports, some types of physical exercise.

Child obesity can be a result of poor diet and exercise, exasperated by low self esteem.  This can also result with a chance of childhood diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol, all conditions you don’t expect your child to have.  This is when it turns into a medical problem and you certainly don’t want it to get to that point.

Try not to let it get to that point.  If there are mental issues with your child you may need to consult your doctor and try to open communication with your child so that you can overly stress to them how special and important they are despite what some other kids may be making them feel.  Their self esteem can be the root of all evils to conquer first.

You are the one who does the grocery shopping so junk proof your home for the whole family, no sweets, pop and destructive foods, lots of fruits instead, sugar free type juices, all natural, vegetables that can be prepared however you can get them to eat them.  We as parents have to do whatever we can to guide and mold our children into happy healthy adults.  All you can do is your best and be their main inspiration in their lives.

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