{"id":209571,"date":"2016-09-14T16:45:09","date_gmt":"2016-09-14T20:45:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wordpress-1.tempurl.host\/?p=209571"},"modified":"2020-06-29T11:08:59","modified_gmt":"2020-06-29T15:08:59","slug":"steps-families-raise-healthy-kids","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thegraphicgeek.com\/demo-cflwire\/steps-families-raise-healthy-kids\/","title":{"rendered":"Steps for Families to Raise Healthy Kids"},"content":{"rendered":"

As of 2010, 12.5 million<\/a>\u00a0 US adolescents (16.9%) are overweight or obese<\/a>. Alongside those statistics has been the rise of families and doctors putting kids on commercial diets to prevent and manage overweight. Recently released research<\/a>\u00a0from the American Academy of Pediatrics is strongly urging the opposite.<\/p>\n

The research shows that dieting adolescents are up to three times more likely to become overweight and one and a half times more likely to develop an eating disorder\u00a0than their non-dieting counterparts. \u201cWeight talk,\u201d negative remarks about one\u2019s weight or body image, and \u201cweight teasing,\u201d poking fun or commenting on another person\u2019s weight, are also risks for children.<\/p>\n

So what is the best way for you as a parent to manage your child\u2019s weight? The AAP says shifting the focus<\/a> from WEIGHT to HEALTH is the answer.<\/p>\n

Practices such as regular family meals, family play or exercise sessions, and constructive comments about health are the place to start. Taking extra steps like limiting access to calorie-dense foods and enabling access to more nutrient-dense foods give children a great health advantage.<\/p>\n

Furthermore, parents do not have to wait until their child is overweight or obese to begin these strategies. Mothers who exercise\u00a0while pregnant<\/a> have been shown to have children who tend to be more physically active than mothers who do not.<\/p>\n

The bottom line is: Parents who emphasize health \u2013 in themselves and their children \u2013 are much more likely to have healthy, thriving adolescents with positive body images than those who do not.<\/p>\n

Need Family Activity Ideas<\/a>? Try these!<\/p>\n

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  1. Capture the Flag<\/li>\n
  2. Hula Hoop Competition<\/li>\n
  3. Three-Legged Race<\/li>\n
  4. Badminton<\/li>\n
  5. Croquet<\/li>\n
  6. Backyard Basketball<\/li>\n
  7. Flag Football<\/li>\n
  8. Ladder Golf<\/li>\n
  9. Volleyball<\/li>\n
  10. Tug-og-War<\/li>\n
  11. Horseshoes<\/li>\n
  12. Corn Hole<\/li>\n
  13. Frisbee Golf<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n