Childhood obesity is a serious problem in the United States. It is estimated by authorities such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that approximately one-fifth of all school-going children are obese. This is a serious problem because obesity is linked to numerous medical problems such as heart conditions, diabetes 2, high blood pressure, asthma and many more conditions. Children who grow up obese are also likely to face social stigma and tend to grow up with very low self-esteem. The good news is that childhood obesity can be prevented and reversed by using the following simple tips

Healthier Meals

Almost any meal can be made healthier through simple tweaks in the cooking process or in the ingredients. For example, instead of regular pasta, you have the option of either wholemeal pasta or zucchini noodles. Other simple tips include using healthier cooking oils such as olive oil and much more.

Take Lots of Water

Water is one of the healthiest substances out there. It has no calories and helps in a variety of health benefits. When you are feeling thirsty, water is a far better solution than any sugary drink that you can find. Water also helps in metabolism and this promotes fat burning. Avoid giving your kids flavored water as that can often make the problem worse. If you want to add some flavor to your water, consider squeezing a tiny piece of lemon into the water to give it a tangy taste.

Choose Healthy Snacks

Parents will normally give their kids ice-cream or chocolate when they want a snack. Instead, you could try to give them a fruit such as an apple or a banana. Alternatively, you could also consider low-fat yogurt with berries as a healthier alternative,

Encourage Activity

Children are naturally active and this should not be hard to do. Most of the time, all you need to do is to let them outside or take them to a play park. For those cold winter days, you could consider an indoor gym which will allow the children to play from the comfort of your home. Play is not the only way to be active though. You could consider taking a walk with them when you are going to the mall down the road or even walking them to school if it is not far away. Any opportunity you can get to walk or run should be utilized.

Reduce TV/Computer Time

One of the things that have contributed to the increase in obesity is video games and television. This is because not only is it a sedentary activity but there is a tendency to do also reach out for unhealthy snacks while watching television. You should establish screen times to ensure that it does not take all the hours of the day. Encourage them instead to go outside and play instead of watching television or playing video games.

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