Statistics show that childhood obesity is on the rise all over the world. In the United States, the number of overweight adolescents has tripled since 1980, and even in less wealthy countries such as Thailand childhood obesity rates are rising. You only need look around to see that children are getting bigger. Foods that make us fat are attractively packaged readymade and cheap, and they taste good. Studies in the Gulf region showed that overweight and obesity are growing rapidly among school children and adolescents.
Obesity is a risk factor for heart disease, Type II diabetes, stroke, arthritis, sleep disturbance, cancer, high blood pressure and high cholesterol, among others. While it is never too late to teach healthy eating habits, the earlier you start the better. Whether or not your children are overweight, it is important to educate them from a young age about the importance of taking care of their bodies and eating healthy food. Studies show that eating and lifestyle habits learned in the early years tend to set the tone for choices later in the life.
Cooking used to be a highly valued role of a woman’s life but as women are encouraged to be out of the home in the work place gaining self-esteem through their career, cooking has become less valued. It is important to cook meals and to take the time to involve the children in cooking because these skills will last a life time.
It is an important part of our culture that we pass on to our children their motherland food. Children gradually absorb cooking skills through hanging around the kitchen when mum is cooking. The cooking culture and mother food gets passed on from one generation to the next, through women. If you have help in the kitchen it is important to supervise ingredients and recipes so that the food is not too fatty and salty.
The food manufactures have been quick to cash in on this new fast lifestyle trend and are producing vast quantities of ready-made meals for career women with no time to cook to feed their families. In the United Kingdom, particularly among the children of the less well-off, children are being brought up on quick, convenient ready-made meals in a plastic dishes. Here cooking skills are not required — read the label — put food in the microwave – and wait for the ping! Home cooking may not look as perfect as shop bought readymade food but it always tastes better. A ready-made meal is soulless compared to a home cooked meal prepared with love.
Teach your children how to be healthy
Suggestions include:
Children need a variety of different foods each day
Snacks are an important part of a healthy diet for active children
Make snacks nutritious, not just high in sugar
Plan to share meals as a family
Involve children in meal planning
Cook with children following a recipe once per week
Enjoy talking and sharing the day’s happenings at mealtimes
Let children tell you when they’re full
Discuss healthy options for lunch boxes including one small treat
Encourage children to drink plain water and a glass of milk every day
Exercise and activity Try to encourage your child to do something active each day, such as a hobby, play a game or be involved in sport.
To increase your child’s level of activity, try to:
Discuss a limit on the amount of time spent watching television or computer
Do something physical and active together
Go and watch your child play sports
Encourage daily activity, such as using the stairs
Ask Alva
I would like to take exercise as I am overweight but I have never done any and I don’t know how to start. Maya
Some people get scared when they think about exercise. They feel like they’re being asked to climb a mountain! It doesn’t have to be tough. And you can exercise in the privacy of your own home. Lots of things are counted as exercise. Exercise includes anything that gets you a little bit out of breath. So things like:
Walking, the simplest and cheapest form of exercise! Start with ten minutes per day, e-mail me for my mini morning workout [email protected]
Taking the stairs instead of the lazy lift!
Get an exercise bike and aim to cycle for ten minutes per day.