Preventing the Cycle of Childhood Obesity

In my previous article I gave some daunting statistics on childhood obesity, one of them being that over nine million children over the age of nine are considered extremely overweight or obese.

Many times I hear my clients tell me that it’s impossible to get their children to eat healthy. In our day and age children are inundated with poor food choices not only in school, fast food restaurants or a friend’s house but also because of what we as parents provide. We have a choice and a responsibility to be the parent and provide healthy food for our children, but it can be a challenge.

That is why I decided to share how one of my client’s has overcome the cycle of obesity by being strong enough to change poor eating habits that have caused herself and her children to become overweight. Here is Margaret’s story:

When you have a child, you are entrusted to be their protector and their provider.  Three square meals a day and a warm bed to sleep in are two basics and the list grows from there.  The problem is that three square meals a day is a title that does not come with a manual.  Is that Macaroni and cheese from a box?  Is that Ravioli from a can?  Is that a bologna sandwich loaded with catsup and pickles?  As mothers we depend on that happy satisfied smile on our little ones face to tell us that they are satisfied with what they have consumed.  Three pieces of pizza and a soda pop has never been good for the body but it will bring a smile out of a child in a quick minute.  And when we believe they are content then we are content. 

My family and I were facing this.  They only ate what I fed them.  I was totally responsible for their diet so the extra weight that they were carrying around was my issue and not so much theirs.  It was quickly becoming theirs, however.

When I started Transitions Lifestyle I realized that their diet was all wrong.  They should be eating five times a day, not three and they should never eat canned or prepackaged meals.   Changing what I provided for them and then packing their lunches for school were necessary.  I cannot say that they did not oppose the change.  They wanted the candy bars and lunchables back in the house, but I stood my ground and before you know it, in a matter of a few weeks, the extra weight that they were starting to show, was coming off. 

Next week I will continue Margaret’s story because I believe it can help parents who struggle with convincing their children to eat healthy.  Don’t get discouraged, and be persistent – you can win the battle!