The next generation is on the verge of a health disaster, with fat and salt-soaked fast food, and a couch potato lifestyle being blamed for hordes of overweight school children. If parents do not do something about their obese children, they will be outliving them. The younger you are when you become obese, the worse the serious, long-lasting ill effects. Fatter children rapidly develop Type 2 diabetes when they are teenagers. Until recently, this disease has only occurred in adults.
Children under the age of 12 cannot be expected to make educated choices, yet they are being bombarded by advertising that encourages them to believe that eating sweet and salty snacks and fizzy drinks is natural. Parents can only influence their children by example so if a child sees parents enjoying fruit and vegetables, they may be tempted to enjoy them too. Parents should also work hard to make fruit and vegetables appear appetising and tasty. It is also important not to push children to eat more food when they feel full. Parents who overfeed young children are leading them to weight problems in later life. Young babies should be introduced to pureed vegetables and fruit when the doctor advises they are ready to be weaned.
Try making your children a healthy, brightly colored fruit salad ready for them to eat when they return home from school. Many children spend hours a day in front of the television or computer screen, snacking on high-sugar foods so avoid letting your child become a sugar addict by banning high-sugar snacks from the house. For some children, obesity brings not just health worries, but a string of problems such as low self-esteem and failure to enjoy sports at school.
Join Me in My Weekly Task
Have a junk food free day each week.
Why? It is a good habit to give your body a healthy day, and builds your self-esteem.
How? Grab fruit and chopped vegetables, and a bottle of water — try to encourage your family and workmates to join you.
Low Fat Recipe of the Week
Beef Kebabs
Serves 6
Ingredients
40 g brown sugar, packed
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tsp. dark sesame oil
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 tsp. ground ginger
340 g boneless beef top sirloin steaks, cut into 6 mm thick slices
4 - 5 green onions, cut into 4 cm pieces
12 mini-bamboo skewers, 15 cm
Method
Combine first 6 ingredients in a bowl. Place beef and half of marinade in a plastic bag, turning to coat. Close securely and marinate in refrigerator 20 minutes. Reserve remaining marinade. Meanwhile, soak bamboo skewers in water 10 minutes and drain. Remove beef from marinade and discard marinade. Alternately thread beef, weaving back and forth, and green onion onto skewers. Arrange on broiler pan and broil 3-4 inches from heat source 3 minutes and turn. Broil another 2-3 minutes, basting with reserved marinade.
Ask Alva
I’m a 15-year-old girl. I’m only 5 feet 1 inch tall. Please suggest exercises and diet to follow in order to become tall, as soon as possible, before it’s too late for my age. I want to be at least 3 inches taller. Sana
Fifteen is a good age to start taking responsibility for your health and the way you look. Many film and pop stars are quite petite, but they take care of their bodies through exercise, healthy eating and promoting their best features. So, this is what you can do
• Eat plenty of fruit every day.
• Eat plenty of fresh vegetables every day.
• Eat mainly grilled fish or meat — not fried.
• Eat carbohydrates, such as rice, pasta or potatoes for energy, as you need plenty at your age.
• Go to bed early and get at least 8 hours sleep every night — young adolescents need plenty of sleep!
• Don’t drink fizzy drinks — drink water or fresh juice instead whenever possible.
• Allow yourself one treat a day and exercise every morning for at least 20 minutes, and try to get other exercise when you can.
If you’re only 15, you may not have hit your maximum height yet, so relax. You can also email me for a free copy of my Healthy Eating Guide at [email protected]. Alva
For all your weight concerns and questions e-mail Alva Carpenter at:
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