Did We Forget How to Stroll?

I have seen kids who are two and three years old being pushed by their family in what I used to think was a baby carriage. I have seen dog owners pushing their dogs in the same way. Is it a new fashion? Are we in such a hurry or so impatient that we are missing out on the pleasures of strolling and teaching our kids and beloved pets to do the same.

I remember my parents walking in the back and me and my brother running in front, because that was what kids did and still do. They like to run. Or maybe my parents really took pleasure in strolling and they did it so slowly that we thought we were running.

In any case, we were moving around for pleasure.

I am very lucky to have friends that remind me of my childhood. One day we had a brunch date with them and even though they lived very close to the chosen restaurant, they were late, not by too much but unusual for them. When we looked down the street, there they were with their 19 month old daughter pushing her doll car in front of them and I just smiled. She was doing what kids do and they were strolling behind her and enjoying what is going to be part of their memories forever.

We are not only missing physical activity; we are missing the fun.

We are in a constant hurry to I don't know where, having to complete an endless to do list that doesn't have the things that we will remember 10 years from now. We are missing out on the little fun and pieces of happiness that will keep us alive and make for a reservoir of happy things to pull from in lonely times. And to top it all off we are contributing to this horrible pandemic that is childhood obesity.

We the health professionals are now targeting inactivity time. TV viewing is proven to have an impact on the rise of obesity for many reasons besides exposure to ads for unhealthy foods. Do the math: the recommendation for screen time (yes, not only TV, we are including video games and computers into the equation) no more than two hour a day.

Kids nowadays spend an average of 4 hours per day screen time, multiplied by 7 days and you have 28 hours per week of screen time, multiplied by 4 and you have 112 hours per month of screen time, multiplied by 12 and your child would have spent 1344 hours per year of screen time or almost 2 entire months in front of a screen which means 2 entire months of inactivity.

I don't know about you but this scares the life out of me.

On the other hand, physical activity dropped to less than 2 hours a week. If we do the same math we will have: 8 hours per month of physical activity, 96 hours per year of physical activity or 4 days for the entire year spent on physical activity.

If you don't see something wrong with this picture, I don't know how we will help our kids.

Obesity and all its consequences will be here to stay.

Strolling for the whole family after dinner instead of TV can be a good start.

My goal as a pediatrician is to remind parents of their power to prevent and control childhood obesity. Parents have the power to change their home environment and influence changes in their schools and communities.
You can follow us at: My website http://www.obesityparentalpower.com/
My blog http://www.obesityparentalpower.com/blog/www.obesityparentalpower.com/Blog/Blog.html
On Twitter @parentalpower

Original article

How To Diet Correctly: Kids Are Too Fat Because We Let Them Eat Wrong! How To Lose Weight Easily

No one is surprised anymore to learn that our children are obese. We've come to expect it. But, why has this happened? What has changed?

We know that the bottom-line cause of weight gain is an imbalance in calories coming in (food) and calories going out (exercise). What lifestyle changes account for this growing imbalance? Let's look at a few:

- limited access to healthy foods: Our kids are "on the go" as much as we are. They have no time (or desire) to seek out wholesome food choices and they come from homes where the adults may have the desire to feed the family well but don't have the time either. Schools and food establishments take the easy way out by providing what the kids want. Why swim upstream? Hopefully we will all make note of the obesity crisis among our kids and demand healthful options.

- adults have unfortunately not been the best role models for children. Statistics show that almost two-thirds of us are overweight.

- expense associated with more healthful foods: Unfortunately the demand for wholesome foods has not been great enough to bring the cost down for the consumer. Apparently most of us haven't "connected" with the problem of obesity and how it is or will affect us and our kids.

- conflicting information: Electronics has become the primary means by which we all keep touch with the world. We (and our kids) see skinny, stunning-looking celebrities giving accolades to food items that are totally unhealthy, implying that if we eat the same products, we too will be skinny and stunning-looking.

- new "norms": We have become somewhat desensitized to the weight issue because most of us are in the same boat. Most of us are overweight. Why then should it even occur to us that we're ruining our health? What will inspire us to take the problem seriously and take steps to "stop the bleeding"?

Change comes slowly. Gradually, however, word is getting out to the "highways and byways" that the way we are eating is making us sick. As the crisis grows, we will be unable to ignore it any longer and change will occur.

In the meantime, you and your family can be ahead of the curve and start now to make lifestyle changes that will restore healthy eating habits in a relatively short period of time.

For now, if you do nothing else, take these three steps:

1. Reduce the portion of everything you take into your mouth by at least one-third.

2. Eliminate ALL sugar-sweetened beverages.

3. Incorporate at least 30 minutes of exercise into your daily life. You can lead your family out of the obesity pit by learning to eat in the correct way in order to manage your weight for a lifetime.

Do you want to know why your kids are overweight? If you're serious, I'll help you.

By Sue Bristol, R.N.

My eBook will lead you through the way to make it work for you, and your obese child, or spouse.

Here's the "Secret Weight Loss Diet" that virtually EVERY successful dieter uses
(Whether or not they are even aware of it!)

"Click Here" to get your Free e-book, which will give you the "Weight Loss Secret" Kids shouldn't be obese.
http://www.how-to-loseweight-101.com/index1.html

Original article

Is There More Than Food Choice Involved in Childhood Obesity?

In today's society there is a tremendous amount of discussion about childhood obesity and the need to regulate the foods consumed by children. Schools are being directed to not have vending machines that dispense high calorie fatty foods. Government is considering enacting regulatory control over fast food and setting standards of calorie density. Some of this may be in fact be useful, but likely not as useful as people might hope. What if the problem of obesity in childhood and adults has at it root other things besides the intake of food. Is the remedial action occurring at the right point in society? What else might be happening that leads to childhood obesity?

A young man in early twenties was sitting quite uncomfortably in the waiting room; he was alive with fidgets and visible signs of distress, clearly anxious and feeling uncertain. For the purposes of this article we will call him Bill. Bill had made the appointment to talk about the possibility exploring what counseling might be able to do in supporting him with the depression and frustration he was experiencing.

Bill stood approximately 5"10", and weighed about 380 pounds. In later discussion he mentioned a 50 inch waist and how his weight was a barrier to his successfully finding a job. Bill had recently graduated from a state college with a 4.0 grade point average, been on thirty or so interviews without being tendered a job offer. He was feeling very depressed and quite frustrated.

This young man told of several experiences that we very unpleasant as he sought work one in particular were an interviewer that had been particularly judgmental and a little demeaning to this young man. Bill recounted that he had been interviewed for a job for which he was well qualified, and how the interviewer blatantly suggested that anyone his size wouldn't be competent to of managing a complex caseload. Apparently the interviewer alluded that Bill just wasn't ambitious, self-directed or able to exercise adequate self control to perform the require job duties. That Bill showed a glaring lack of "stick-to-it-ness" evidenced by his size and girth.

Bill left that interview angry, hurt and embarrassed! Feeling depressed he consulted his family doctor for some options, and was referred for counseling. In the first meeting a family history of chaotic and difficult family dynamics became apparent. Bill's mom was a little overweight but not morbidly obese, however his three sisters all had struggled with eating disorders. Bill's biological father was also overweight, but again not morbidly so as was Bill. "Why am I so fat?" A frequent query Bill repeatedly asked as his story unfolded. The brief summary of his story was terribly difficult for him to detail, he had been the victim of sexual abuse by one of his mother's "friends" which were occasional live in boyfriends, though non stated more than a couple of years. Mom had been married and divorced three times before Bill was out of middle school, and there were intermittent "friends" between those marriages.

Additionally, bill had been physically abused, and the family had on three different occasions before Bill graduated from high school been involved with child protective services. They made frequent moves and location changes; he could recall nine or so apartments before high school. He began to gain weight rapidly in high school and it created a great deal of ridicule from others and negative feelings about self. His only escape was academics and he was able to secure a scholarship and attend college. He discussed the how food seemed to be the only real constant in his life and that was a poison that was slowly killing him and making him unhappy.

Through the next couple of sessions, a great deal of information was shared with Bill about the nature of family dynamics and the impact of secure attachments or the lack thereof on an individual. Some of the information shared helped Bill develop a different idea about eating and obesity in general.

The basics of what was shared with Bill was research findings that show that males that are victims of sexual abuse as children, are at greater risk of developing eating patterns that create obesity. The frequency and duration of the sexual abuse may increase the risk manifold for dysregulated eating behavior and account for a good portion of morbid obesity in young males. Females apparently react differently to sexual abuse as children, moving in the direction of food restriction and it is likely a foundational element in many eating disorders.

Other studies were reviewed that indicated that parental depression and the quality of attachment between caregiver/child can be a precursor of child obesity as well. This was especially powerful for Bill, in that he strongly believed his mother had been depressed most of her life. She had tried committing suicide on three different occasions, all resulting in the children being collected by Child Protective Services and temporarily placed in foster care.

Additionally, in discussions between Bill and his sisters they collectively felt that their mother had always looked at them as burden and could not remember a time when she ever seemed pleased to have them around, unless it was to serve her in some manner. Several articles were summaries of the Aversive Childhood Experience Studies, hereafter referred to as ACE. The Ace study looked at factors that create health risks in individuals that have experienced them; one of these health risks is obesity. The following are the elements of the ACE study that increase the risk:

Physical abuse by parent or caregiverSexual abuse or exploitationPhysical neglect or abandonmentUnstable living environmentEmotional neglect (deprivation of empathy, nurturance, protection, and directionWere Substances abused in the home (with or without addiction)Was there mental illness (even mild)Separation and divorceDomestic violence (includes family screaming, yelling, the use of intimidation, threats of harm which may NOT include physical contactParent or caregiver absent, or incarceratedFrom Bill's story of his childhood it is clearly evident that he was the beneficiary of at least half of these ACE elements. Statistically what the ACE studies have discovered is that approximately 90% of the people that come into counseling have had at least four of the elements active in their early developmental life.

Some of the research shared with Bill, was also about brain function and physiology, particularly around food choices and eating patterns, the information coupled with a better understanding of himself set the stage for Bill to successfully reduce his weight 100 pounds in the next 8 months.

Some of those reading this article may be thinking of this as a weight loss story, which is true, but more importantly is the idea that family dynamics and the quality of the home environment greatly impact the emergence and maintenance of obesity in the lives of people. Maybe the more impactful way to deal with the national child obesity plague is not regulating food choice and calorie density, but greater focus on mediating and addressing the effects of dysregulated families that are creating environments that promote a variety of health risks. Bill's story is not unique, there are many suffering because they are being or were raised in homes where the environment provokes a constant state of distress and frequently overwhelms the child's ability to adapt.

Dr. Robert Rhoton PsyD is a full time faculty member in Behavioral Sciences at Ottawa University whose Research Interest are Traumagenic family dynamics; Child & family Trauma; Clinical use of process language; Non-Egoic models of treatment. If you wish more information or to contact this author please feel free to do so at bob.rhoton@ottawa.edu or 602.371.1188

Original article

Children, Diets and Medications

I had a patient come to me recently for advice on her 8 year old daughter, who had been diagnosed with acid reflux and put on a strong regimen of prescription medications by her pediatrician. Additionally, her teacher suggested that she may have a hyperactivity problem and be "attention deficit". Today, parents are being hoodwinked into the mainstream thinking that their kids could benefit from medications.

In fact, a recent study done by Medco Health Solutions revealed that 1 in 4 insured children in the U.S. are taking prescription medication for a chronic health problem! For kids 10-19, the figure goes up even higher to 30%.

Some other staggering facts:

- girls aged 10-19 taking medications for type 2 diabetes has increased 200% since 2001
- medications for acid reflux and heartburn has jumped 147% since 2001 for adolescents.
- asthma and allergy medications have tripled in usage for kids 6-18

But if those numbers do not concern you too much, more than likely these will: In the year 2007 alone, half a million children and teenagers were given at least one prescription for an antipsychotic drug! This includes approximately 20,000 kids under the age of 6! These drugs are being handed out for symptoms of depression, anxiety and attention deficit disorder. These same drugs are given to adults for bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.

Some common side effects with these types of medications include drowsiness, fatigue, increased appetite, upper respiratory tract infection, vomiting, coughing, fever, tremors, dizziness and urinary incontinence.

And you wonder why you have gone through 15 different babysitters in the past year!

On a more serious note, major side effects from these medications include permanent muscle tics, hormone disruption, high blood sugar leading to diabetes and sometimes even death.

As a parent or guardian, it's important to realize that the leading diseases today are diet related, such as obesity, heart disease, diabetes and yes, even cancer. To take a prescription medication for a lifestyle related condition can turn disastrous--it is not going to help your child in the long run and probably going to lead to harmful side effects.

So other than being a healthy role model for your child, what else can you possibly do? Here are a few starting tips:

- Start with breastfeeding (if applicable, of course) and avoid baby formulas as much as possible, especially soy formulas.

- Take a close look at your child's diet: Avoiding sugar and pasteurized dairy are great starts

- Get your child active. Get them outside at least 30 minutes per day for some form of exercise

- Toss out the electronics! That's right, I said it! Okay, let's be realistic... how about limiting computer, TV and video game use to only 1-2 hours per week. It CAN be done. 30 % of US children are considered overweight!

- Research vaccinations: Very sensitive topic but please do your due diligence on this.

- Avoid antibiotics and over-the-counter medications: Usually riddled with chemicals and toxins, your child's immune system needs to develop properly and treating a fever with this junk just suppresses the normal functioning immunity. The only time it may be needed is if a fever reaches 104 degrees or higher.

Don't follow this disturbing trend if your child's doctor is recommending a medication. Do the proper research and arm yourself with the proper questions before you take part in this. If your child is already on a medication, then you owe it to yourself and your child to take the proper steps in guiding them to live a natural lifestyle and not become dependent on any medication.

Original article

The Problem With Laissez Faire in Obesity

With Obesity rate likely to hit 40% of the UK population by 2030 (The Lancet, 26th August 2011) can we really afford to be so Laissez faire about intervention?

All informed opinion and knowledgeable opinion accept this is a ticking time bomb in terms of lives lost and the inevitable cost of remedy to the tax payer. A likely increase of around £2 billion per annul by 2030.

Countless cookery programs, yet the UK population eats more ready meals and junk food than ever before, what causes this inertia? Why is being healthy so difficult?, Why is healthy food such a turn off? Why do we think healthy food means rabbit food?

What is the answer?

Should we tax junk food, ready meals or fast food?
Do we make fresh produce more cheaply available?

Successive government have been afraid of taking leadership and decisive action in fear of being labelled a nanny state, if they are too prescriptive about dietary guidelines. Yet I believe that is exactly what it's going to take begin to tackle this growing problem.

We've allowed the problem to manifest itself firmly within our eating culture, and we're relying on drugs and surgery as the cure, instead of investing in the education to prevent the trend from taking hold in the first place.

It is my opinion we should teach our children food chemistry and the effects of food on our biological processes, and daily functions, going right back to basics. Infact embark on a practical teaching curriculum that is far more radical than we have ever taught in our school before. We should teach simple cookery to every child as part of the curriculum to ensure children have life skills to prevent dietary related illnesses. Cooking doesn't have to be complicated, it's relaxing and very satisfying. Clients come to our cookery classes and say "why have we waited till this age to learn the fundamentals about food and the importance of nutrient values from a private cookery school for a few privileged people instead of being taught this at school, it's so fundamental to life."

Is it our parents responsibility to teach this in the home? For example we have made sex education compulsory in schools to promote safe sex and reduce teenage pregnancy, Should we attach equal importance to healthy eating. Is healthy and nutritious eating as important as teaching the process of plant regeneration and photosynthesis. Why don't we teach our children the value and nutrient content of everyday food and the effects of food chemistry, for example the effects of sugar in the blood and energy conversion and the related effects on diabetes, instead of focusing on co2 and hydrogen chloride. Food chemistry has a far greater practical application in real life to all student than just those who wish to take up chemistry as a career choice.

As the austerity measure take effect and we feel the pinch of government spending perhaps it is time we made some suggestion of our own to protect our income tax expenditure for the future.

Written by Kumud Gandhi - Food writer, broadcaster and Founder of The Cooking Academy cookery school. Kumud Gandhi has a background in Food science and teach the importance of healthy eating for improved performance in work and school and for general well being. Contact Kumud on kumud@thecookingacademy.co.uk

Original article

Spinal Development for Kids - Things to Look Out For

Parents are usually very concerned about the development of their child's brain. They want to ensure that the kid is going to be intelligent and academically strong and able to make bundles of money. However, not many pay attention to the most important part of the human body, namely the spine.

As adults, a large number of us are falling prey to spinal problems. Right from constant back aches to sciatica to even prolapsed discs, all of it has become very common. The root of all these problems lies in a weak back. A back that should have been strengthened in childhood and given the attention it deserved.

Causes of Spinal problems in children

Back aches and spinal issues are usually associated with adult life. Most of us believe that sitting on the work desk for hours on end is the only reason why we develop back problems. Since kids do not need to do so, their backs are safe. Nothing could be further from the truth. Children's spines are much more prone to spinal problems as opposed to adults. A few common causes of spinal problems in children are discussed below -

Birth - The process of being expelled from the uterus is traumatic for the child. In fact, the spine and the skull go through maximum trauma during this time. This process can lead to spinal injuries or trauma that may either show up immediately or re-surface during later years of the child's life.Falls - There is not a child in the world who has not had a fall of some kind or the other. These falls tend to affect the spine in varying degrees of intensity. Again here the symptoms of the injury may or may not show up immediately and may not be visible especially to the medically untrained eye.Congenital problems - Another cause for spinal problems in kids is congenital issues. The fetus may have gone through a problem during its developmental stages, which effected the development of the spine adversely. More often than not these congenital problems can be spotted in an ultrasound before birth or even when the child is born.Genetic issues - Genes play a huge role in our physical development. There are a series of spinal problems that maybe passed on to a child due to his/her gene pool. Again here there is no saying when this problem will occur and its symptoms show up.

Types of spinal problems in children

When it comes to the types of spinal issues that afflict children, the list is rather extensive. While most of our adulthood spinal issues also find their root in childhood causes, there are some spinal ailments which show up in the early years itself. Some of these are discussed in detail below -

Spina Bifida - Here the child may not suffer any health problem, though there have been times where ADHD, improper hand eye co-ordination, problem with bowel or even bladder control has been associated with this disease. There are two main types of spina bifida namely occulta and manifesta. The former is a milder disease as opposed to the latter. While there is no cure for this medical condition, the treatment can ensure a normal and healthy and full life span to the child.Spinal muscular atrophy - This degenerative disorder attacks the spine and results in muscle failure. There are four types of muscular atrophy and in all four cases only treatment is possible, since there is no cure as yet. It is a degenerative disorder and so a full life span is rarely an option. The symptoms of this disease come in huge range. Afflicted children tend to have lower muscular control, so bowel and urinal control gets difficult. Legs could be weak, swallowing could be a problem and the child may keep the head tilted to one side.Scoliosis - Here there is an abnormal curvature to the spine. The spine curves from side to side and can be caused by either congenital condition, or be neuromuscular. More often than not the disease is said to be idiopathic since the cause is unknown. The treatment of the problem ranges from exercises, bracing to even surgery depending upon the time of onset and also the intensity of the disease. Constantly monitoring the curvature plays a huge role in treatment of scoliosis, since the treatment depends on the extent of the curvature. Since repetitive x rays are not considered too good for the human body, a scoliometer is used by doctors to measure the curvature of the patient.Traumatic spinal diseases - Of course there are the traumatic spinal diseases that afflict children too. Here the problem occurs due to a fall or any other similar trauma borne by the child. The path of treatment will depend on the type of trauma and its success shall also be guided by the extent of injury.

Spinal Care for kids

As parents we need to pay attention to the spinal health of the child starting right from the conception stage. Nutrition and attention both play a huge role in the spinal development of the child. However, constant monitoring is also required in order to ensure that the spinal health is not deteriorating.

In case the child shows signs of spinal complications, do not hesitate to get a diagnosis as soon as possible. In cases where a diagnosis has been reached the proper care and medical advice should be followed fully.

In short, caring for the spine is not an option, it is mandatory. When looking to have healthy and fit children, great attention needs to be paid to the development of the spine. Keep in mind that spinal complications can take on a serious turn and sometimes ruin the child's life completely. So, keep the above information in mind and here's hoping for great health and happiness for your child.

About the Author
Dr Kevin Lau DC is the founder of Health In Your Hands, a series of tools for Scoliosis prevention and treatment. The set includes his book Your Plan for Natural Scoliosis Prevention and Treatment, a companion Scoliosis Exercises for Prevention and Correction DVD and the innovative new iPhone application ScolioTrack.

Dr Kevin Lau D.C. is a graduate in Doctor of Chiropractic from RMIT University in Melbourne Australia and Masters in Holistic Nutrition from Clayton College of Natural Health in USA.

In 2006 I was awarded the "Best Health-care Provider Awards" by the largest Newspaper publication in Singapore on October 18 2006 as well as being interviewed on Primetime Channel News Asia as well as other TV and Radio. For more information on Dr Kevin Lau, watch his interviews or get a free sneak peek of his book, go to: Health In Your Hands website.

Original article

How To Lose Weight For Children - Kids Must Be Taught How To Diet Correctly

We've heard the dismal statistics...many of our kids are overweight and there is no sign of the trend reversing itself soon. This is alarming for three reasons:

1. Childhood and adolescence are times when the body is growing and developing. It is critical that proper nutrition be provided.

2. Children need a healthy balance between physical activity and food intake. As weight increases, the child is less likely to achieve this balance on an ongoing basis.

3. The overweight child is at increased risk for developing weight related problems in adulthood.

Most children will not learn good nutritional habits on their own. Hours in front of the TV or computer expose them to endless commercials for the latest and greatest (and unhealthful) foods. The kids believe that these high-fat, high-sodium, high-calorie foods are good for them. The adults in their lives need to teach, and model, the proper way to eat.

What can you do? First, learn the basics of healthful, eating for yourself...and then show the rest of the family how to manage nutrition and weight for a lifetime.

• Eat at home whenever you can. (Cook extra on the weekends and use the slow cooker during the week.)

• Reduce portion sizes. Ask your child's doctor to tell you the number of calories to aim for and reduce serving sizes as needed.

• Eliminate all sugar-sweetened beverages. (Sodas and other drinks with sugar can add 10-15 pounds of weight in a year.)

• Use smaller bowls and plates. This step gives the illusion of a larger amount of food and is thus more satisfying.

• Eat slowly. Give time to the brain to signal that you are full.

• Eat only when hungry.

• No "mindless eating"; that is, eating while watching TV, working on the computer, viewing a movie, reading. When you eat, eat. If your child wails that he is starving, offer him food if he turns the TV off and sits at the table. (Let's see how "starving" he really is.)

• Serve food dished up in plates...no bowls and platters on the table.

• No second servings.

• Three meals with healthful, in between snacks.

• Fill half of the plate with fruits and vegetables. The remaining half is divided between protein and grains (preferably whole grains).

• Children need a minimum of one hour of activity per day...walk, run, jump, play tag, bike, sports...balancing activity against food intake is crucial for the maintenance of healthy weight.

• Get your child involved in a community or school based sports team. (In addition to healthy weight control, he or she will learn the fundamentals of teamwork, discipline, and sportsmanship.)

We address our children's educational needs, immunizations, check-ups, homework, schedule, bedtime...and most other aspects of their lives. Teaching principles of nutrition will equip your child for effective weight management for a lifetime.

Stop drinking sugary pop today! You will child be on his way to the ideal weight! If you're serious, I'll help you.

By Sue Bristol, R.N.

My eBook will lead you through the way to make it work for you, and your obese child, or spouse. Here's the "Secret Weight Loss Diet" that virtually EVERY successful dieter uses. (Whether or not they are even aware of it!)

"Click Here" to get your Free e-book, which will give you the "Weight Loss Secret" Kids shouldn't be obese.
http://www.how-to-loseweight-101.com/index1.html

Original article

Ping Pong Table Vs Dinner Table

Why do we need anything to fight our dinner table? If we do, what makes a ping pong table a worthy opponent? The answer is that for most Americans, especially children, our dinner table has grown to be a huge, hulking threat and a table tennis table represents one great solution. It's a bit of a David and Goliath story, but this David will need a lot of ping pong balls! Let's take a look at the monster in our midst first.

Our opponent is a fierce, ugly, habit forming, and now well-entrenched threat to our country, and it's hitting our kids even harder--obesity. According to Professor Barry Popkin at the University of North Carolina, Americans have increased their DAILY caloric intake from about 1,803 Kcal in 1978 to 2,374 Kcal in 2006. How did that happen?

Researchers conclude that portion size (especially "supersizing"), the number of daily meals, and type of snacks eaten are the biggest factors. Daily meals and snacks rose from 3.8 in 1977 to 4.8 in 2006 and went as high as 7 per day. Though portion size seems to have stabilized in the last few years, the total number of calories is still increasing. Where do the extra calories come from?

Expert advice has been to eat smaller, more frequent meals to boost metabolism and control hunger rather than 3 large meals a day. It appears that advice has been followed, but we flew off the tracks on the CHOICE of foods. When those smaller meals include high-calorie and salty options like "super sized" snacks, the benefits of smaller meals vanish, except around our middles of course!

One major villain in this dietary train wreck is soft drinks, including rehydration liquids, which account for over 220 excess daily calories over these years. At the same time, dry snack foods changed to higher amounts of fat and sugar with little fiber, vitamins, or minerals. Even shopping for healthy foods has become tougher.

Our food market space is now dominated by processed food, which hides threatening levels of high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), an industry that now holds enormous political power. For more details, watch the YouTube video made by the University of California San Francisco called "Sugar: The Bitter Truth". Some physicians and food scientists make a strong argument that HFCS should be classified as a POISON. Yikes!

So, how can we manage our weight properly? Experts agree that over 90% of all diets fail to sustain long term weight loss. Those that ARE successful at keeping excess weight off have acquired a healthy lifestyle they actually enjoy. Moderating screen time, re-acquainting one's taste buds to the subtle flavors of fresh produce, whole grains, lean meat, and establishing a regular, amusing routine of exercise are all part of these long term success stories.

How much exercise is required for this new lifestyle? Not as much as you think. For example, statistics show that dog owners can add years to their lives. Though dog walking is mild exercise, its regularity and stress relieving components matter most to breaking "couch potatoship". Establishing a healthy lifestyle for children has become even more difficult lately.

Educators and experts agree that finding activities that most, if not all, children will embrace is a challenge. School sports have not been universally engaging to children. Plus, cutbacks in regular physical education time in schools have robbed our children of gazillions of calories burned. Even more important may be the loss of creating regular exercise habits. So, if children aren't exercising as much, what's taken its place?

Without regular exercise youth screen time has jumped enormously. How much? Eric Schlosser, noted health author, says screen time (television, web surfing, and video gaming) in youth ages 8-18 is about 1.5 hours on a computer, over an hour playing video games, 4.5 hours watching TV, and 7.5 hours on entertainment media...PER DAY! Now for the mighty ping pong ball!

Before the author was a sports medicine consultant, before he operated a tennis coaching business, before he was a tennis player, he was a ping pong player--one of the thousands of kids taking active shelter in the basement from Midwest snow playing table tennis. Before that, he was a target for the school bully. For that child, a little ping pong ball helped steer him away from a sedentary life style, and it was fun!

A ping pong table can beat a dinner table because the first time you pick up a paddle or table tennis racket, you can easily have fun and feel skilled without coaching. Against a friend or family member of similar ability, you can quickly rise to the self-appointed title of "Menace".

Compared to screen time, ping pong/table tennis might start as mild exercise, but it is enormously beneficial. Establishing fun exercise habits helps suppress appetite, relieve stress, and balance calorie intake. This can even be done alone as many table tennis tables have a playback mode, (remember Forrest Gump?), for a one player work out.

I believe no international sport is as convenient and easy to learn as table tennis. Since it's almost always played inside, it requires much less space and is much less expensive to learn and enjoy than other activities. Even better, every parent can "look like" a professional to a child and have a great time.

If you compare the potential for bonding experiences with a child to those provided by a screen, it's no contest. Doesn't matter what you call it...ping pong or table tennis--be a menace!

Jonathan Bailin, Ph.D. received his doctorate in Biomechanics/Exercise Physiology while coaching tennis at the University of Southern California. Currently, Dr. Bailin operates a tennis coaching business in Marina del Rey, California, publishes research, consults for corporations, and enjoys recreational table tennis locally.

When Dr. Bailin rediscovered his first childhood passion, ping pong, he published http://www.tabletennismenace.com/, but he wanted to use his expertise to better guide consumers to product.

Because the selection of sporting goods from a huge array of products can be such a daunting task, Jonathan decided to pre-select only the best and most popular ping pong tables, table tennis rackets, ping pong balls, blades, rubbers, table tennis machines, and accessories from the most respected suppliers. TableTennisMenace.com is also a site that gives expert advice to consumers on product combinations like an outdoor table tennis table and net, ping pong ball and iPong machine, or the best racket blade and rubber.

Because of the sport's universal appeal to all ages, modest requirements of space/money, and potential to fight inactivity, he truly feels that whether you call it "Ping Pong" or "Table Tennis", anyone can "Be a Menace" at TableTennisMenace.com.

Original article

Obesity In Children, Elderly, And Those In-Between Too, Occurs Because We Don't Know How To Diet

Obesity is a national problem. Some studies indicate that two-thirds of adults and more than one-third of children are overweight. The health consequences of excess weight are serious and far-reaching.

Obesity in children and in the elderly require special consideration because both groups have needs that are different from young or middle-aged adults.

Children are at risk of developing chronic conditions related to obesity (especially high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes). However, children also have an increased risk of developing these conditions and others (arthritis, heart disease) once they have reached adulthood because of the length of time their bodies have been carrying extra weight.

Most children are at peril for becoming overweight simply because of the time in which they live. The twenty-first century is characterized by high stress and busy schedules. Food needs are often met at fast food restaurants where the menu is likely to be high fat, high sodium, and high sugar. In addition, again because of busy schedules on the parts of children as well as adults, exercise and physical activity are usually the first things to be "thrown under the bus".

Certain conditions make a child more likely to become obese than peers. For example, low birth weight, obesity or diabetes in the mother, and maternal smoking during pregnancy. Girls after puberty are particularly prone to storage of fat and subsequent obesity.

Children who are obese are at risk of developing psychological problems. Depression, low self-esteem, poor self- image, anxiety, and social maladjustment are more frequent among children who are overweight than among their thinner peers. Obese children likely to become obese adolescents and then, obese adults. Behavioral therapy may be needed if dietary management is not adequate. Parents can check with the school and community because many programs are available for little or no cost.

The elderly also constitute a group which require particular attention to weight control. As the body ages, muscle is lost and fat is particularly likely to accumulate around the abdomen because of hormonal changes and inactivity.

Accumulation of fat around the abdomen is particularly alarming because it is often a predictor of other diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease as well.

Most communities or public facilities for the aged can refer caregivers to programs which aid in appropriate nutrition and exercise programs geared toward the elderly. The maintenance of healthy weight and general fitness contribute to the quality of life for seniors and those who are responsible for their care.

Get them to stop drinking sugary pop today! Your child be on his way to the ideal weight!

By Sue Bristol, R.N.

My eBook will lead you through the way to make it work for you, and your obese child, or spouse. Here's the "Secret Weight Loss Diet" that virtually EVERY successful dieter uses. (Whether or not they are even aware of it!)

"Click Here" to get your Free e-book, which will give you the "Weight Loss Secret" Kids shouldn't be obese.
http://www.how-to-loseweight-101.com/index1.html

Original article

Keeping Kids Fit and Healthy - 4 Easy Beginner Steps

So, you're ready to make the commitment to raising fit kids, being a fit kid or being the fit parent. Then you must understand that the most direct route to success is to make small changes in your current lifestyle. Too many programs are designed with a lot of change and restrictions that only make you very unhappy, setting you up for failure because you won't be able to maintain that lifestyle.

Fortunately, or unfortunately depending on which way you look at it, habits only take a few weeks to form. I am a very habitual person so it is even quicker for me...that means it takes no time at all for me to firmly entrench a bad habit into my lifestyle. I concentrate on replacing old less healthy lifestyle habits with new, healthy choices so I do specific things in order to avoid failure.

I'm very human, and if there are treats in the house I will find them. So I don't have it in the house. If I bought a bag of chocolate chip cookies I would eat them by the row, so I don't buy them. I make a healthier version of my own, but if I didn't like to bake I wouldn't have them.

Many parents and caregivers put a lot of effort into their kids' healthy eating but not for them selves. What are you telling them...that you aren't important, or that different rules apply for adults? Think about it. Children learn what they live, and hear, and see and eat!

So my suggestion to you, if you are ready to make some changes in order to avoid the current childhood obesity epidemic, or just raise a fit family, is to make the first changes incremental. That way nobody goes into shock. It will take longer to see a difference in your bodies on the outside but you are moving from an unhealthy lifestyle to a healthy lifestyle, and we want it to stick. If you are an unfit parent you likely got that way slowly, one day at a time. Reversing the trend slowly will allow you to replace old habits with healthy new habits...and each one is going to take a couple of weeks to get firmly set. Here are some suggestions for you and your family. Pick one or two to start with and then add more as you feel confident and comfortable.

Swap sodas and excess caffeinated drinks with water. That goes for any juice you may drink outside of your meals or snacks. Even 100% juice can be naturally sugar laden and high in calories.
If you must drive your kids to school, park a couple of blocks away and walk in with them if they are young, drop them a couple of blocks away if they don't want to be seen with you. Unbelievable but it happens!
If you watch TV in the evening, make the commercials time when everyone must move.
Substitute sweet desserts with a small yogurt cup. Myself, I would choose to miss the dessert at dinnertime, because I'm not actually hungry after dinner, and have the yogurt and part of a piece of fruit part way through the evening.

Original article

How To Diet Correctly: Prevent Childhood Obesity - How To Lose Weight The Right Way

"My child is a bit pudgy...so what?" "It's just leftover 'baby fat' and besides, he looks kind of cute." "She'll grow out of it." These are common, but disastrous attitudes that some of us have about children who are overweight, or even obese. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, obesity predisposes children to the same kinds of diseases that threaten adults who are overweight:

- heart disease
- high cholesterol
- high blood pressure
- diabetes
- fatty liver disease
- sleep apnea
- asthma and other respiratory disorders
- psychological disorders such as low self-esteem and depression

Overweight kids are in danger of developing these conditions during childhood and adolescence. Further, their risk of become ill from these diseases once they reach adulthood is greater than for adults who add extra weight later in life. Presumably this is because they have been heavier for a longer period of time.

Even though the "bottom line" of weight reduction for kids, as for adults, is bringing the "calories, in-calories out" into balance, the management of overweight and obesity in children is more complex than it is with adults.

This is because caloric restriction must be carefully monitored so as to ensure the child meets caloric needs for normal growth and development. So, what can parents and other concerned adults do to help? Several things. Let's take a look:

Keep foods prepared for eating that will provide the best "bounce for the ounce", that is, the highest nutritional value for the least calories...fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, reduced-fat cheese.Change the milk supply from whole to low-fat or fat-free. (If the kids fuss, don't get discouraged. They'll get used to it.)

Here's some do-able tips:

- Abolish sugar-sweetened beverages. They are calories devoid of nutritional value.

- Avoid fatty cuts of meat. Opt for lean! Substitute beans and lentils...an excellent source of quality protein.

- Reduce portions. This is an obvious approach. The child is eating too much of the wrong foods. Otherwise he or she would not be overweight.

- Serve food from the stove and countertop rather than placing bowls and platters on the table.

- Use smaller plates. This may sound silly but it has been demonstrated by one study after another that given the same amount of food on a small plate leaves one feeling full and satisfied whereas the larger plate with more "empty" space leaves one feeling hungry and even deprived.

- Learn to create tasty recipes using healthful ingredients.

- Serve plates that are half full of vegetables and fruits, one-fourth protein (meat, beans), and one-fourth grains, preferably whole grains.

- Help your child become active. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children and teens should have sixty minutes of physical activity per day. Even if that is not always possible, it is a goal for which to strive.

- Get them involved in walking, games such as tag, sports, swimming, dancing, jumping rope.

- Limit time the child is sitting in front of the TV or computer.

- No snacking while doing anything else. This fosters a bad habit called "mindless eating". Train your child that when he eats, he eats...nothing else.

If you commit yourself to training your child the basics of nutrition and when, how, and how much he or she should eat, you will equip them with a lifetime of healthy weight management.

What a fine gift!

Do you want to know why your kids are overweight? If you're serious, I'll help you.

By Sue Bristol, R.N.

My eBook will lead you through the way to make it work for you, and your obese child, or spouse.

Here's the "Secret Weight Loss Diet" that virtually EVERY successful dieter uses
(Whether or not they are even aware of it!)

"Click Here" to get your Free e-book, which will give you the "Weight Loss Secret" Kids shouldn't be obese.
http://www.how-to-loseweight-101.com/index1.html

Original article

How To Lose Weight For Children: Do You Know How To Diet Correctly? Will You Teach Your Kids?

Our children are overweight and statistics show there is no indication of a reversal of this trend on the horizon. The number of children who are overweight has doubled over the past three decades. Further, the situation is in danger of becoming worse because many of the habits which are contributing to childhood obesity are becoming a more pronounced in the lifestyle of many of our kids.

In view of these trends, the American Academy of Pediatricians is proposing a change in the types of commercials that are shown on TV and other media outlets during programs that are geared toward children. They point to two negative effects of advertising of junk food as it is currently presented:

1. The use of electronic devices by our children for entertainment and study exposes them to thousands of ads for junk foods every year. The ads for these food items are often promoted by popular appearing, attractive, and well dressed youngsters in settings that imply that this is what the "cool kids" are eating. One study found that 98% of the commercials children see during top-rated programs are for junk food.

2. The ever-increasing hours that children are using electronic devices makes them susceptible to overweight because they are "using the computer" (or whatever) instead of engaging in physical exercise.

Statistics indicate that children spend an average of seven hours per day using one kind of electronic device or another...TV, computer, cell phone, games, texting. This has several potential "side effects":

• Overexposure to fat and sugar-laden, unhealthful snacks

• Excessive snacking (mindless eating)

• Munching on the wrong kinds of foods

• Drinking sugar-sweetened beverages

Pediatricians recommend that parents who are worried about their child's weight consider the effect of excessive "screen time". If children have a TV or internet connection in their room they are especially prone to inadequate physical exercise, excessive food consumption, and consequent obesity. In fact, the risk of becoming overweight is several times greater for the child who watches five hours of TV per day compared to those who have less than two hours of daily screen time.

Parents need to be in charge of what goes on in their homes. Child psychologists recommend the following approaches:

• Watch programs with your children and comment as you see fit.

• No TV, computer, or cell phone usage during family meals and during study time. (If they claim the computer is needed for homework, monitor them.)

• Investigate the programs your child is watching for age-appropriateness. (They can watch the same things during the day that you have the option to watch after hours.)

• Determine how much screen time your child will have in a day. Allow him to have input into which programs and times that will include. You make the final decision.

You wouldn't neglect your child's immunization schedule or his teeth. Don't turn a blind eye to this significant factor affecting his or her weight either.

Stop drinking sugary pop today! Your child be on his way to the ideal weight!

By Sue Bristol, R.N.

My eBook will lead you through the way to make it work for you, and your obese child, or spouse. Here's the "Secret Weight Loss Diet" that virtually EVERY successful dieter uses. (Whether or not they are even aware of it!)

"Click Here" to get your Free e-book, which will give you the "Weight Loss Secret" Kids shouldn't be obese.
http://www.how-to-loseweight-101.com/index1.html

Original article

Tips on How to Help Your Overweight Child

The change has to start in the household, please DO NOT blame your child for their weight issues, instead follow these tips on how to help change the behavior.

1. Be supportive- do not say negative things about their weight instead be supportive and encourage a healthier lifestyle; not just by talking about it, but by living it.

2. Listen to your child's concerns about their weight- Kids are smart, they know they have a weight problem so talk to them about their feelings regarding it

3. Bring more fruits and vegetables in the house- Allow your child to shop with you and pick out their favorite ones. If they are more concerned with the sugary food aisle, then just bring home the produce that you know they will eat before you start introducing too many new foods.

4. Purchase fewer soft drinks and processed snacks- Instead purchase water, fresh vegetables such as carrots, cucumber slices, nuts, raisins, sunflower seeds, low fat milk, and fresh fruit.

5. Skip the fast food lane- Start experimenting with some new recipes that you have been dying to try. Just because the fast food lane exists, it doesn't mean we have to utilize it. Did you know that just ONE visit to a fast food joint could rack up an entire days worth of calories. Cook at home and make it family time where you can discuss their day, school, goals, or homework.

6. Don't discourage your child if they hesitate on trying a new food at first- Some kids need to see a food over 10 times before they will eat it.

7. Do NOT use food as a reward. Food is fuel for our bodies; it is not a reward nor a punishment of any kind. By promising dessert if they finish their broccoli is only sending out mixed messages and making the vegetables seem less valuable.

8. Be active together- Incorporate active chores such as washing the car, vacuuming, or sweeping the sidewalk. Plan active trips like a family bike ride, a walk through a local park, a trip to the zoo.

9. Set a good example- Your child will follow your lead. If they see you are being active and putting your health first, they will start to do the same. Don't talk the talk unless you walk the Walk.

10. Encourage your child to join a sport- it doesn't have to be a school sport, try an event at the local community center or an after school class that peaks their interest. This opens up time for you to communicate what your child likes to do; do they like to dance, gymnastics, run- there are all kinds of activities available to fit their interest.

For the first time in history we will outlive our own child, which is a sad fact so we have to take control of it NOW. We must take the control back from food. The more junk we feed our children the closer to disease we are pushing them. Let's start being the healthy role model in our families that they need.

Transformations 4 Life is about empowering women to put their health on their daily to do list and become the best role model they can be. It is our mission to educate women on fitness, optimal wellness, and nutrition so they can transform in all the areas of their lives. Services include e-books, mobile personal training, online training, boot camps, and youth conditioning. Sign up for her free monthly newsletter and receive our free ebook at http://www.transformations4life.com/

"People with goals succeed because they know where they are going. It's as simple as that." - Earl Nightingale

Original article

Why Children Really Need To Exercise

However obesity isn't the only reason children need to exercise. For starters children and movement are made for each other. From the time children first learn to crawl they seem to have an internal drive for movement. This may be because exercise not only develops children's bodies but also their minds and social skills as well.

Studies have shown that children who get ample exercise learn better. Moderate to high levels of exercise improve oxygen output to the brain making it easier to concentrate for longer periods of time. These improved cognitive skills help children succeed better in school.

Keep in mind that exercise for children should be fun and parents should both play active games with their kids and provide them with a means for active solitary play. Making exercise fun for your kids will not only keep them healthy but, can create some wonderful memories. Turning on the music and dancing with your children will not only allow them to exercise a variety of muscles but, will create an opportunity for the entire family to have a good time.

Supplying your children with jump ropes, pogo sticks, hula hoops, and a variety of inexpensive toys that encourage activity will not only encourage them to play actively but, will increase their enjoyment. Family hiking trips to nature preserves or spending the day at the local pool or beach swimming will also help to keep not just the kids moving but, you as well.

Keep in mind that children have a natural inclination to run, jump and play but, they also imitate much of their behavior after what they see their parents do. If you include exercise as part of your normal daily routine then the chances are good your children will too.

As children grow older sports and other activities can help them keep exercise as part of their normal routine so you should encourage their participation in activities that fit their interest. For some that may be organized sports such as football or baseball, some children will prefer to cheer lead, swim or become a member of the marching band. As long as they choose at least one or two activities that keep their bodies moving then all should be well.

If your child shows no interest in school sports then perhaps they may be more interested in dance or gymnastics. If not then at least encourage them to play volleyball or badminton or go on hiking excursions with the family. While you can't make your child exercise you can present them with many opportunities to do so.

Just remember an active family will help to keep your kids motivated and active as well. And keeping active will help your child live a happier, healthier and longer life.

Paul Koks is a passionate runner from The Netherlands and owner of Marathon-training-tips.com that provides a diversity of marathon training and running tips for runners of all levels. One part of the website is devoted to the phenomenon of children running.

Original article

DASH Diet May Help Teen Girls Slim Down

Americans are getting heavier today than they have been in the past and girls have seen much of this weight gain. Do you feel a little overweight? Has your doctor asked you to try to eat foods that are low in fat and high in fiber? If so, the DASH diet may be for you. The DASH diet is also known as the Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension and has been used for many years to treat adults who have high blood pressure (hypertension). It turns out that the diet not only works for adults with blood pressure problems, but it also works for overweight teens or teens who may become overweight later in life.

How The DASH Diet Works

So how does it work? It's really pretty simple; you eat foods that you already know are better for you while staying away from those foods that you have learned are not as healthy. Some of the foods that you are allowed to eat in this diet are fish, chicken, lean meats, vegetables, fruits, nuts, low-fat dairy such as skim milk, and legumes (green beans, alfalfa, and peanuts). This diet gives you the ability to enjoy many of the foods that are healthier for you while making you feel better. Of course, exercise is also an important part of any diet, so getting out of the house and walking, jogging, running, or swimming along with bicycling or any other outdoor sport helps your body to burn more calories and begin to trim some of the extra fat it may have stored.

Today, teen obesity is a big problem for junior and senior high students. Many teens watch television more than their parents did at their age and many more spend several hours every day talking to each other on Facebook, their cell phones, and on computer chat rooms. This has caused many teens to not get the amount of exercise they need to keep a healthy weight. If you need to slim down a little then following the DASH diet will allow you enough food to keep hunger away while exercise will help you work toward a better weight.

What is a healthy weight for you? Your best weight is normally decided by your BMI or Body Mass Index. This number tells you if your weight is right for your height. A normal BMI is between 19 and 25. This number can be found for you if you ask your doctor or nurse to calculate it. If you want to find it out for yourself, there are many websites where you can find your BMI by entering your height and weight. If the number is above 25, you may need to use the DASH diet and begin exercising regularly to help decrease your weight.

A good workout and eating healthy are the best ways to either lose extra weight or to keep a good weight as you get older. It's always important to let your doctor or nurse know you plan to use this diet and let them know what kind of exercise you plan to use. If you have health problems that may keep you from using the DASH diet or some kinds of exercise, your doctor will be able to help you decide what is best for you. The most important thing to remember is that you can be healthier if you are willing to eat right and work out. It's never too early to begin being healthy.

Being a teenager dealing with overweight and obesity can be a great challenge. You don't have to go through this alone. Visit http://teenhealthfitnesscoach.com/ and see how Theresa de Jesus can help you!

Original article

Deal With Childhood Weight Issues Before Real Problems Surface - BMI, And How To Control Weight

To determine childhood obesity a measurement called the BMI (body mass index) is used. While BMI is a practical way for adults to test for obesity, it is not necessarily safe to rely solely on this measurement for children. Remember, BMI is but one of the "tools" used by professionals.

The doctor, nurse, or dietitian needs to be involved because the obese child is a "moving target" in the sense that his need to lose weight may conflict with his need to gain weight the right kind of way. His or her body is growing and developing. Only a professional can determine the correct guidelines for your child, so be sure to consult one.

There are a variety of conditions may occur as a result of overweight or obesity. This is true for children and adults. There is also a danger that children may develop serious conditions as a result of dieting or undue focus on weight reduction. For example:

• Anorexia and bulimia. A child may become consumed with losing weight and develop either (or both) of these serious conditions. The anorexic child refuses to eat proper amounts and kinds of food; the bulimic will attempt to lose weight by means of induced vomiting and the use of laxatives.

• Depression and low self-esteem. The overweight child may feel poorly about his appearance to the extent that he is able to focus on nothing else...schoolwork, social experience, playing.

• Substance abuse. The overweight child, especially one who has become depressed, is at peril for drug abuse in an attempt to ease the stress.

In view of these frightening possibilities, it may be tempting to ignore the child's weight. This too is dangerous. The overweight child is at risk of developing the same conditions as the overweight adult: heart disease, diabetes, sleep and joint disorders, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. The child probably won't develop most of these during his early years but by the time he reaches adulthood he will have been "carrying the load" and challenging his health for a long time because of obesity. In addition, there is a tendency for the overweight child to mature earlier than peers, including irregular menstrual periods, and potential fertility problems as adults.

Once guidance from the physician has been sought the child can safely be put on a nutritionally sound, calorie restricted diet. At the same time, his caloric output can be increased by means of a modest exercise program. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children over the age of two get at least 60 minutes of physical activity per day.

Start today to help your child toward achieving a healthy weight by means of a safe and effective nutrition and physical exercise program.

Here is the correct diet plan, for your overweight child, and for your entire family.

Need help? I'll help you.

By Sue Bristol, R.N.

My e-Book will lead you through the way to make weight loss work for you, and your obese child, or spouse. Here's the "Secret Weight Loss Diet" that virtually EVERY successful dieter uses. (Whether or not they are even aware of it!)

"Click Here" to get your Free e-book, which will give you the "Weight Loss Secret" Kids shouldn't be obese.
http://www.how-to-loseweight-101.com/index1.html

Original article

Give Your Child The Gift of Good Eating Habits

Creating good eating habits for your child is one of the most important jobs you have as a parent. Like most things that children learn they are going to accept and learn what you demonstrate to them far more than they will what you tell them. And eating habits, like most good habits must be formed early in order to have the most impact.

Here are just a few things that every parent ought to know to help their child cultivate good eating habits to prevent a lifetime of frustration and discouragement that comes with becoming overweight.

• As soon as your child starts eating solid food keep them away from sweets. A child who grows up without candy, soda pop and dessert will never miss it as they grow older. Most people who have a sweet tooth developed it very young.

• When you serve your child food, don't serve them more food than about the size of their fist. This will usually fill them up. If they are hungry and ask for more, make it a smaller portion.

• Never force a child to finish what is on their plate and if you're trying them on a new food start out with very small portions and allow them to decide if they like it or not.

• Never use food as a reward for good behavior and never withhold food for discipline. Take food out of the equation as a bargaining chip with your child.

• Encourage your child to eat foods that you know are healthier and less fattening. Talk up how good salads, vegetables and lean meats are and have them experiment tasting these foods with you.

• Don't force your child to eat on a rigid schedule. They know if they are hungry or not and forcing them to eat when they're not disables their ability to eat when they need to, not when they think they should.

• Have your child eat at the kitchen table, not in front of the TV where he will develop mindless eating habits.

• Discourage snacking between meals and never use food as a pacifier for your child in the car or at home.

• Finally, encourage your child to develop good eating habits by following those habits yourself. Kids never buy into the "do as I say, not as I do argument."

If you are able to instill good eating habits in a child early, you will have given them a gift that is priceless. They won't have to fight the diet demon and they will have a far better chance of getting the gift of good health.

If you don't change your habits, your habits will ensure that you never change.

My name is Larry Allen and I spent the last three years researching and analyzing why diet and exercise programs don't work for most people and developing an alternative that does.

"It's Just A Habit" is a bold new approach to permanent weight loss. It shows how by following 4 simple habits can have dramatic results that are not achievable through diet and exercise. No diet and exercise plans, no pills, no hype and no phony promises. It's simple and it's easy.

Visit my website at http://itsjustahabit.com/ and discover why you haven't been able to lose weight permanently and what you can do about it.

Original article

How To Get Your Child To Diet - It's Not Easy, But It Is Critical To Teach Him How To Lose Weight

There are many obstacles you will face when you attempt to guide your child toward a healthy weight. There are typically changes that need to be made...changes involving types of foods your kids eat, when they eat, and how they eat. Be prepared for complaints (to put it mildly)...the kids are not going to like having their food "messed with".

You will deal with some obstacles along the way. If you are expecting the problems, you will be better equipped to deal with them. Here are a few of the snags you may run in to and suggestions on how to derail them:

1. Your child is totally accustomed to dessert and "throws a fit" (literally or figuratively) when you dare to suggest that this is the new way of doing things. The good health of your child far outweighs any protests he or she may make. They must understand that there is a new Sheriff in town and the "laws" have changed. Don't keep your child in the dark as to what your motives are. Learn for yourself, and then explain in terms you child can understand, the basics of sound nutrition. Explain that you learned that the old way of eating is not healthy.

2. Your child refuses to eat vegetables...he says he "hates" them. This can't possibly be true since there are literally thousands of vegetables known to man. Either your child is mimicking what he has heard others say, or, he perhaps really doesn't like the kinds of vegetables he typically is exposed to or the way they are usually prepared. This is a great time to experiment with your child. Let him or her help you find new vegetables and experiment with new ways of preparing them. (When you eat out and there is a salad bar, help him to try the various offerings, both raw and cooked. Praise him for his adventuresome spirit. It may be difficult for a while but...this too shall pass. (Don't forget to be a good role model).

3. Your child is in school or day care and you don't have control over what they eat. Well,...yes you do. You are of course at liberty to provide the snack for your child...or you can even treat the whole class to something new and fun. Also, I'll just bet you are paying the bill for your kids to attend the school, either in tuition payments or taxes. You do have a voice. Educate yourself and then pass along to the school board the unhealthy way American children are eating and the growing trend toward obesity. Make suggestions as to how the food program could be changed to include foods other than the unhealthful ones currently being provided. Talk to other parents. There are many others who share your concern. Work together to cause change.

Many Americans don't understand the seriousness of child obesity. Perhaps you could be the one in your area who is willing to work to bring about lifestyle changes to confront this threat to the good health of our kids.

Stop drinking sugary pop today! Your child be on his way to the ideal weight! If you're serious, I'll help you.

By Sue Bristol, R.N.

My eBook will lead you through the way to make it work for you, and your obese child, or spouse. Here's the "Secret Weight Loss Diet" that virtually EVERY successful dieter uses. (Whether or not they are even aware of it!)

"Click Here" to get your Free e-book, which will give you the "Weight Loss Secret" Kids shouldn't be obese.
http://www.how-to-loseweight-101.com/index1.html

Original article

Preventing Childhood Obesity By Getting Your Kids To Bed

Childhood obesity can be easily prevented by doing something as simple as getting your kids to bed on time. We all know that children need their proper rest to grow but we never really look at how a lack of sleep affects the processes of the their young bodies. In addition it not only affects their body but their behavior, productivity and learning and their eating habits.

When children don 't get enough sleep they are not getting all the nutrients that their bodies need to grow. This in turn effects blood flow to the brain. Because of the lack of nutrients traveling through the blood going to the brain foggy thinking occurs. This also causes irritability and hinders progress and learning in school. Sleep is fuel for the body. The body needs fuel to run just like a car needs gas to run. Without proper energy the body cannot break down and process the intake of food properly which leads to excess weight gain.

When irritability occurs children are more likely to have fights and disagreements in school. They are ultra sensitive and the slightest thing can set them off and cause a tantrum. Their emotions are adversely affected. We have a tendency to think only babies need to get their proper rest or else they will be cranky. Lack of sleep also affects older kids even up into the teen years. Many times instead of getting rest, children don't realize they are tired and tend to turn to eating. Usually they crave junk food like salty and sweet products and tend to mindlessly eat.

Junk food is not the proper fuel for their bodies. It is just empty calories that contribute to weight gain and lacks nutrition. Since the body isn't getting what it needs it sends out the call for more food. It's like the words in a song Bob Marley sings that says "My belly's full but I'm hungry". The link between improper rest and weight gain is often missed.

Productivity is adversely affected because there is not enough energy to perform the needed tasks for the day. Lack of energy affects motivation and enthusiasm. It also affects kids' outlook on life and present situations. Because kids are in situations were they are interacting with adults in authority positions it is essential that they have all the benefits of a good night sleep so that they can think clearly and respond appropriately and effectively.

When kids do get proper rest learning becomes much easier. They are alert and attentive. Information is easily absorbed and retained as well as recalled. They have a much more positive outlook and are happier. They are much more cooperative. Happy children tend to not have to use food as a pacifier or comforter. They are more energetic and that energy can be used to engage in fun activities like dance, or sports or some sort of movement activity that will burn calories and help them to be healthy.

As you can see, sleep is a very important factor in preventing obesity and also helping our children to be happy, productive and smart children. It will help your child do well in school and at home. They will have a much more positive and optimistic attitude and look forward to life. You as the caregiver will have contributed greatly to their success in life.

And now I invite you to find out more about preventing childhood obesity by visiting http://healthykidsweightloss.com/ to receive a free report on easy tips for keeping your child healthy. Please feel free to also refer this site to friends, family, colleagues or anyone who might find it useful.

Original article

Childhood Obesity - Is Gastric Bypass Surgery Right For Teens?

Last night I got hooked on a Nightline segment about a 400 pound teen opting for gastric bypass surgery.

This boy, Nick lives with his overweight Mom who had her stomach stapled years ago. I was saddened to see she had obviously learned nothing about eating right or exercising from her experience, which should always take place before going under the knife for weight loss. She had passed on her horrible eating habits and other poor lifestyle habits to her son. Her parents probably passed on their unhealthy habits to her. Lack of nutritional knowledge is moving from generation to generation and we have to put a STOP to it.

I have had to have some serious conversations with obese clients that plan to have children. My main goal with the conversation is for them to realize if they don't get healthy, their child is doomed to suffer from obesity as they have. 70% of children with overweight parents will become overweight adults. I believe most parents want what is best for their children and would spare their children from any pain possible. Being an obese child and adult is very painful. I don't have to tell you about bullying, the lack of dates, the added health complications and sometimes very serious depression. It's on a news show daily. So why aren't parents taking this more serious? Why are they opting to put their children under the knife? Well, there are many reasons. Some parents don't see their kids as fat until it's too late. There are so many fat kids now that fat is the new average weight. This does not mean it is any less detrimental to their health and futures. Many of these parents also lack the education of what is healthy and/or nutrient dense. Lastly, people are still looking for a quick fix. Unfortunately, there is no quick fix.

I was mortified when the mother opened her fridge last night. I did not see one fruit or vegetable. In fact neither mom or son had tasted Broccoli before! I would wager that means they have not tasted a lot of other vegetables. Then Cynthia McFadden from Nightline pulled out hot dogs and the mother responded, those are turkey hot dogs. Like, turkey hot dogs are super nutritional. Turkey or not, hot dogs are a processed food, which are fine once in awhile, but by the 400 pound weight issue of her son I would guess turkey hotdogs were a regular meal. Now I don't want to seem like I am completely slamming the mom. I think it took great bravery and love for her son to be on Nightline and show the world that refrigerator and admit she too struggles. She had also started taking exercise classes with her son and was working on learning to eat better. I give her kudos for that and I pray her sons story really hits home for some families, so they can make healthy changes in their lives.

Well I have wrote about surgery for weight loss before, so those of you who have read my articles know I completely against it when it is obvious there was never work on the mind or the body. I am especially apposed when it is a teenager. Yes, now Nick is losing weight at a fast clip, but how is that going to affect his metabolism in the future? I will tell you, it's going to slow down, so if he doesn't learn to eat right and exercise for the rest of his life, he will gain the weight back, just as his mom did.

I am glad for Nick though. He was so happy with his weight loss, I would be a real meany if I wasn't cheering the kid on. I especially loved it when he said, "I want to be a chic magnet". Go Nick! I hope he is and that he keeps the weight off the rest of his life.

So what can we do? The childhood obesity epidemic is enormous. I have a few tips for people.

1. If you are thinking of having children, whether you are overweight or not, take a nutrition course and start making physical activity a priority. I know you want your future child to be healthy and happy. That child will emulate what you do, so prepare to be a role model now.

2. If you are already dealing with weight issues in your family, it's never to late to work for the better. You can do it! Take a nutrition course and get active now. Plan fun, physical activities for your family.

3. If you feel like you can't do it on your own, seek assistance. You have to get your mind straight and believe you and your family can be healthy first. You may need a psychologist or a coach. You may also want to consider a weight loss coach and/or trainer. Just make sure you check their backgrounds thoroughly.

Hopefully, as Nightline and other media outlets continue to share these types of stories more and more lives will be touched and changed for the better.

I know how painful you must feel right now if you are morbidly obese. You can get healthier and thinner. It will take some time, but you can do it! I believe in you!

Karen Hummel, MPA
BS Nutrition & Exercise
Certified Wellness Coach and Personal Trainer

For more free tips on healthy weight loss visit http://www.uloseweighthealthy.com/.

Original article

Childhood Obesity - The Importance of Staying Fit

Babies become toddlers during their second year of life. First steps give way to confident walking. Motor development also changes rapidly. A child's abilities for physical movement will change all during childhood through the unlearned or reflexive movements of babies that lead to the highly skilled voluntary actions of later childhood and adolescence. Hand/eye coordination and manual dexterity also improve - kids learn to investigate toys and their home environment. This activity leads to early types of playing with toys such as shaking, banging or throwing them.

It's only with play that much of a child's early learning happens. Physical, emotional and intellectual development is dependent upon activity. Opportunities for play should be a big part of a kindergartners program - touching, manipulating, exploring and testing Children imitate adults through play and experiment with what it means to be a grown up. It is important for parents to search out toys that will encourage toddlers to play with objects like toy phones and blocks. This is the age when the concept of 'pretend' begins to emerge. Naturally lots of learning is through imitation of what they see around them, activities their parents take part in every day such as getting in the car or cooking the food.

A large part of what your children should see you do is be physically active and eat a healthy diet. One of the most important issues facing American health today is the growing obesity epidemic. All that you need to do is take a look around at any public gathering and you will see the truth that NO ONE is getting enough exercise! Every child - including one and two year olds - needs to have 60 minutes of active play every day. When we start toddlers and young children off in the right direction encouraging them and demonstrating to them how to form the lifelong habit of physical activity you are giving them the gift of health and fitness.

Once children begin to regularly add fitness activities to their daily lives, they can reduce the risks of obesity and diabetes. It's tougher to raise kids today than it was even 10 years ago. Parents now are concerned about diet and exercise as well as kids' safety and development. As adults, we are becoming more aware of the need to be sure that the first of those new abilities is developing the lifelong habit of being more fit; an active child is a fit and healthy child. At the same time as they are playing whatever the activity -climbing on a playset and hanging by their knees to see what the world looks like upside down - your children are also exercising. It can be as simple as bike rides around the block or running to play tag in the yard - we all need to change our lifestyles by making time to get moving!

Hello - I'm Christine Bender and I am the owner of the website http://www.safetyswimandplay.com/ where we see a terrific selection of children's climbing playsets and jungle gyms. Our sets are easy to assemble, flexible and easy to change. We specialize in playsets for toddlers and young children up to about age 5 or 60 pounds in weight. All playsets are made of soft thermoplastics and are completely safe and sturdy. ADA approved for all abilities.

Original article

Ping Pong or Table Tennis Vs Youth Obesity and Inactivity

It may sound like a lopsided TV wrestling bout, but it's a serious fight we must win. The author has some important credentials and personal experience to offer on how to gain victory. Our opponents are fierce, ugly, and well entrenched in our country. Can a tiny ping pong ball compete against these monsters? Can a table tennis table compete with a dinner table? Let's look closely at our competition first.

According to the science journal Lancet, we have a "childhood obesity epidemic". The prevalence of overweight children and adolescents has increased dramatically over the past several decades bringing unprecedented incidence of chronic diseases like obesity, diabetes, and heart disease to our children. As children become heavier worldwide, greater numbers become at risk of having Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) as adults says the New England Journal of Medicine. The culprits in this assault on our health are NOT hard to find.

Screen time, including watching television, surfing the internet and video gaming, has been associated with promoting inactivity which is linked to this rapid increase in obesity. How much screen time? According to the Henry Kaiser Foundation, children ages 8-18 spend about 1.5 hours on a computer, over an hour playing video games, 4.5 hours watching TV, and 7.5 hours on entertainment media...PER DAY! That's just one of our grotesque opponents.

The good news is that "screen time" has made our lives easier in many ways. The bad is that "screen time" has robbed us of most of the exercise time we previously used to balance our food intake. That food intake has taken a turn for the ugly too hasn't it?

For over three decades, fast food has infiltrated every nook and cranny of American society. It began with a handful of modest hot dog and hamburger stands in Southern California, but has now spread to every corner of the nation. Fast food is now served at restaurants and drive-throughs, stadiums, airports, zoos, high schools, elementary schools, universities, cruise ships, trains and airplanes, at K-Marts, Wal-Marts, gas stations, and even at hospital cafeterias.

In 1970, Americans spent about $6 billion on fast food; in 2000, they spent more than $110 billion. Don't even ask about 2010! Americans now spend more money on fast food than on higher education, personal computers, computer software, or new cars. We spend more on fast food than on movies, books, magazines, newspapers, videos, and recorded music -- COMBINED, says author Eric Schlosser.

Most of this food has high amounts of fat and sugar with little fiber, vitamins, or minerals. Our food market space is now dominated by processes food, which hides threatening levels of High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS). Don't forget that soft drinks and "rehydration" liquids are processed foods too. Robert Lustig, MD at UCSF says that the HFCS industry exerts enormous political power on our lawmakers.

On the other hand, SOME screen time is good for us. If you consume food and want to know what the sugar industry is up to, watch "Sugar: The Bitter Truth" on YouTube. Now enter the mighty, but tiny, ping pong ball!

Before the author became a sports medicine consultant, before he operated a tennis coaching business, even before he was a tennis player... he was a table tennis player. Just one of millions taking active shelter in the basement from Midwest snow. Before that, he was a less than fit target for the school bully. For that child, a little ping pong ball helped provide physical confidence, steer him away from a sedentary life style, and provide enormous after school FUN.

It is key that the first time you pick up a paddle or table tennis racket; you can easily have fun and feel skilled without coaching. Against a friend or family member of similar ability, you can even quickly rise to the self appointed title of "Menace".

Compared to screen time, ping pong/table tennis is enormously beneficial exercise no matter how docile the game. Many tables even have a playback mode (remember Forrest Gump?), for a one-player work out. Here's one more important word about our hefty opponents in this fight for our health.

Some researchers, like Dr. Alweena Zairi who study the causes of under performance in children, believe sedentary practices effect pre school neurological development and the academic potential of children by the time they start school. Teachers are finding they have to deal with a growing number of children suffering from numerous conditions born out of a childhood of conditioned inactivity.

Both table tennis and tennis are vastly popular international sports with professional tours which require tremendous athleticism and dedication. Tennis is almost always played outside. Table tennis almost always indoor and requires much less space. It's also much less expensive to learn and enjoy than tennis. The entry level is vastly easier. Even better for the family, every parent can look like a "pro" and have a great time too.

Ping Pong or Table Tennis--Be a Menace!

Jonathan Bailin, Ph.D. received his doctorate in Biomechanics/Exercise Physiology while coaching tennis at the University of Southern California. Currently, Dr. Bailin operates a tennis coaching business in Marina del Rey, California, publishes research, consults for corporations, and enjoys recreational table tennis locally.

When Dr. Bailin rediscovered his first childhood passion, ping pong, he published http://www.tabletennismenace.com/, but he wanted to use his expertise to better guide consumers to product. Because the selection of sporting goods from a huge array of products can be such a daunting task, Jonathan decided to pre-select only the best and most popular ping pong tables, table tennis rackets, ping pong balls, blades, rubbers, table tennis machines, and accessories from the most respected suppliers. TableTennisMenace.com is also a site that gives expert advice to consumers on product combinations like an outdoor table tennis table and net, ping pong ball and iPong machine, or the best racket blade and rubber.

Because of the sport's universal appeal to all ages, modest requirements of space/money, and potential to fight inactivity, he truly feels that whether you call it "Ping Pong" or "Table Tennis", anyone can "Be a Menace" at TableTennisMenace.com.

Original article

Child Obesity And BMI, 4 Simple Steps To Help Him Lose Weight - Teach Him How To Diet

One-third to one-half of our children are considered overweight or obese. This is a very alarming statistic because of the implication regarding health. Children who are overweight typically have lower self-esteem than do their normal-weight peers. Further, the excess pounds may be harmful to their health now, and as adults since it has been amply demonstrated that obese children typically become obese adults.

The BMI (body mass index) is a tool commonly used in the evaluation of a child's weight by considering height and age. The BMI does not directly determine body fat but it is a reliable indicator of the likelihood of high body fat.

Once the BMI has been determined, it can be compared against norms for various age groups provided by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. This comparison will provide a "BMI percentile" which will place the child's weight in the range of:

• Underweight (less than 5th percentile)

• Healthy weight (5th to under 85th percentile)

• Overweight (85th to less than 95th percentile

• Obese (95th percentile and above)

If the BMI percentile indicates "Overweight" or "Obese", the physician will probably perform a more extensive exam to determine whether the BMI represents fat tissue or whether it is high because of the child's natural structural make-up. The Centers for Disease Control recommends that screening for weight issues begin at age two.

It is important that parents and guardians not make the mistake of applying data from adults to children on their own. The numbers are calculated the same way but the "rules for interpretation" are different in children. The weight and height of children is constantly changing and only a health care professional can determine whether or not the numbers are bad for your child.

If you have been told that your child is overweight or obese, there are 4 relatively simple steps you can take to help him or her back to the road of good health:

1. Provide healthy meals and snacks every day. Emphasize fruit and vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat meats and reduced-fat dairy products.

2. Eliminate sugar-sweetened beverages.

3. Minimize "screen time"...that time which your child spends in front of the computer, TV, or other electronic devices.

4. Ensure that your child gets adequate physical exercise. Most children do not. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children get a minimum of 60 minutes exercise per day.

Good eating habits and adequate physical exercise are essential in order for your child to be healthy and to minimize the risk of disease and adult obesity.

Get them to stop drinking sugary pop today! That will improve BMI quickly.

By Sue Bristol, R.N.

My eBook will lead you through the way to make it work for you, and your obese child, or spouse. Here's the "Secret Weight Loss Diet" that virtually EVERY successful dieter uses. (Whether or not they are even aware of it!)

"Click Here" to get your Free e-book, which will give you the "Weight Loss Secret" Kids shouldn't be obese.
http://www.how-to-loseweight-101.com/index1.html

Original article

Blast Away Anxiety With Exercise

Are you reluctant to start exercising? Did you know that a good workout will help to put you in a good mood? So exercise has a two-fold benefit - to help combat teen obesity and to help bring about good moods. Who doesn't want to feel and look good?

Did you know that the reason schools have recesses is to give children a chance to run and play and yes, exercise? Recesses are becoming less these days and that's why we now see an increase in overweight teens. Also to blame are the technology that is available to us. Instead of running and playing outside we are more apt to be sitting in front of the TV or computer or a game system, moving only our hands. Combine this with junk food diets that teens love to eat and you get a generation that has more teen obesity than ever before in history. How are we to slim down?

Exercise and Diet

But if exercising makes a person feel better, then why aren't we doing more of it? Probably because most aren't aware of this. We think that sitting around a TV screen pushing on a game pad will make us happy. We have forgotten the art of playing outside and getting fresh air and exercise. I guarantee you if you try it you will see for yourself how fun and refreshing and how good a mood it will give you.

Get Up And Move

Combating anxiety is as simple as moving around. The body releases these hormones called endorphins when we exercise. Endorphins makes us feel great, gets rid of stress and will take away the effects of anxiety. The more we exercise the more we will release these wonderful hormones. This is what is considered a natural high!

Ask any serious runner if they experience this and they can tell you all about it. Ask any person who seriously works out in a gym, they too will tell you. So will any person who plays sports, no matter what the sport. Dancers and skaters know about it too. But the good news is that you don't have to be an athlete or a talented dancer or skater to be able to get your body to release endorphins.

Try taking a walk. Or a jog. Try an exercise routine for about half an hour. You will see. Keep doing it, for several days. You will really start to notice the good feeling you get from exercising. You will want to continue doing it because simply put it makes you feel really good. The more you exercise the longer you will keep this good mood.

When starting out though, pace yourself. Start out slow and work up. Start out exercising half an hour every other day. Slowly increase the strength of the exercise and the time spent doing it.

Eventually you may can increase it to daily and to more than half an hour at a time. Combine this with a healthy diet and your weight and anxiety won't be an issue anymore.

Being a teenager dealing with overweight and obesity can be a great challenge. You don't have to go through this alone. Visit http://www.teenhealthfitnesscoach.com/ and see how Theresa de Jesus can help you!

Original article

Who Is Responsible for Obesity in Children?

Most parents worry about the spread of obesity in children. They listen to advice and pay close attention to the food they give their children. But what if they were to learn that the diet advice they have been getting for the past four decades, is wrong.

What's worse, the advice is responsible for obesity in children as well as adults. The diets people trust and encourage their family to use, have never been scientifically tested to prove they are safe for adults, let alone children.

Till forty years ago we didn't diet. We didn't need to, the vast majority of people were slim. Then, in the seventies, when everyone became an expert on something, some people decided they wanted a niche on the fringe of medicine. They called themselves Nutritionists, dietitians and diet guru's.

For forty years, these people have offered us literally thousands of diets. Not a single one has been tested to prove it works. Diets have never undergone genuine scientific research. No human trials have been conducted to test the validity of the claims. Not one single diet has been researched and trialed to prove it is safe for human consumption.

The first diet was called 'The Pyramid Diet. It was an exact reversal of our traditional diet. It doesn't take an Einstein to work out that such a change was more than a shock to the body. A shock it still hasn't learned to get over. Evolution takes centuries, not four decades.

Every diet promoted during the past forty years has been a variation on the Pyramid Diet, and eventually, everyone of them has been discredited. But not before hundreds of thousands of people have used them and suffered the consequences. The fact is, we are not designed to diet. Our body doesn't understand the food we eat.

When we cut down on food our body has a programmed response. It's called Famine! That means our brain signals our metabolism to slow down to allow us to conserve fat. When the famine is over, the body is programmed to go into overdrive to recover every ounce of weight we have lost. It will even add a little extra fat to protect us against the next famine.

How do we change that? We don't, because we can't, it's nature. What we can do is learn to work with our body instead of against it. We need to feed our body the kind of food it evolved with. Not the kind of food that is manufactured and processed in plants across the nation.

Bad diets, with the wrong food, recommended by pseudo experts have turned perfectly slim, healthy people into fat victims of food addiction. Children eat what the adults eat. If mom is addicted, chances are the children are too.

It is still possible to get back to where we were, but not until the people who make the decisions, get enough pressure from the rest of us, to take action and do something about it. Until then, we each have to concentrate on fixing our own family. Part of that is to learn to ignore advice about food that sounds good, but has no proven benefit. We are human beings - not Rabbits.

To avoid obesity in children, we owe it to them to educate ourselves about the food nature designed our body to digest. And to stop listening to people who spout nineteen seventieth fad nonsense. I know that's not easy. These people have had forty years to establish their base of authority. But that authority sits on a fragile mount of sand.

Get the facts, because with the facts you will see right though that nonsense and you will know what to do. Obesity in children is not preordained. It's simply caused by yet another ill advised human intervention.

I know that any thought of changing your food is difficult to think about. But that's your addiction thinking for you. Once the addiction is gone so are the cravings, the binges the inappropriate hunger pains. You'll be free from constant thoughts of food. Remember - so will your children. Do it for them!

If you choose not to act, your children will grow up in a world with an even greater numbers of people who suffer weight problems, obesity, heart disease and type2 diabetes. Statistics suggest the numbers will be 80% of the population by 2020. If you don't act, your children and their children are likely to become part of those statistics.

My name is Kirsten plotkin. I am a writer and author of two books about the real reason we have an obesity epidemic today.
Watch this video and learn the truth about obesity.
The Carbohydrate Addicts Manual

Kirsten Plotkin
Goldcoast, Queensland, Australia
+617 5593 6363

Find me on Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/healthylifestylenews?sk=app_13684106971427

Original article