Childhood obesity how can it be prevented

In the United States, the number of children with obesity has continued to rise over the past two decades. Obesity in childhood poses immediate and future health risks. Parents, guardians, and teachers can help children maintain a healthy weight by helping them develop healthy eating habits and limiting calorie-rich temptations.

You also want to help children be physically active, have reduced screen time, and get adequate sleep. The goal for children who are overweight is to reduce the rate of weight gain while allowing normal growth and development. Children should NOT be placed on a weight reduction diet without the consultation of a health care provider. Reducing the availability of high-fat and high-sugar or salty snacks can help your children develop healthy eating habits.

Only allow your children to eat these foods rarely, so that they truly will be treats! Here are examples of easy-to-prepare, low-fat and low-sugar snacks that are calories or less:.

In addition to being fun for children, regular physical activity has many health benefits, including:. Children ages 3 through 5 years should be active throughout the day. Children and adolescents ages 6 through 17 years should be physically active at least 60 minutes each day. Examples of moderate intensity exercise are walking a minute mile, or weeding and hoeing a garden. Running or playing singles tennis are examples of more intense activities.

Look for ways to get even 10 or 15 minutes of some type of activity during the day. Walking around the block or up and down a few flights of stairs is a good start. Health Home Conditions and Diseases Obesity. Children and teens Young people generally become overweight or obese because of poor eating habits and lack of physical activity. Recommendations for prevention of overweight and obesity during childhood and teens include: Gradually work to change family eating habits and activity levels rather than focusing on a child's weight.

Reduce "screen" time in front of the television and computer to less than 1 to 2 hours daily. Encourage children to eat only when hungry and to eat slowly.

Don't use food as a reward or withhold food as a punishment. Serve at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables daily. Adults Many of the strategies that produce successful weight loss and maintenance help prevent obesity.

Recommendations for adults include: Keep a food diary of what you ate, where you ate, and how you were feeling before and after you ate.

Disclosure The authors have no financial relationships relevant to this article to disclose. References 1. Attributable risks for childhood overweight: evidence for limited effectiveness of prevention.

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Encourage physical activity. A child should have 60 minutes of moderate physical activity most days of the week. More than 60 minutes of activity may help with weight loss and keeping a healthy weight. Reduce screen time. Limit time in front of the TV and computer to less than 1 to 2 hours a day.

Keep the fridge and pantry stocked with healthy foods and drinks. These include fat-free or low-fat milk, fresh fruit, and vegetables. Don't buy soft drinks or snacks that are high in sugar and fat. Encourage your child to drink water instead of drinks with added sugar. These include soft drinks, sports drinks, and fruit juice drinks. Good eating habits and physical activity can help prevent obesity. Tips for adults include:.

Keep a food diary. Write down what you eat, where you eat, and how you feel before and after you eat. Eat 5 to 9 servings of fruits and vegetables a day. Choose whole-grain foods. These include brown rice and whole-wheat bread. Don't eat foods made with refined white sugar, flour, high-fructose corn syrup, or saturated fat. Weigh and measure food.