Kids & Obesity Top Reasons Uks Children Are Getting Bigger & How We Can Prevent It

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Childhood obesity is growing in the UK!

Fact One: Three in ten boys and girls are classed as being either overweight or obese and 10% of children in Reception and 18% in Year 6 were classified as obese in 2007/08 (NHS Report 2009)

Fact Two: The latest Health Survey for England (HSE) data shows that in 2008, 61.4% of adult (aged 16 or over), and 27.3% of children (aged 2-10) in England were overweight or obese, of these, 24.5% of adults and 13.9% of children were obese. (UK Governement Report 2009)

Unhealthy diet and a lack of physical activity are the main causes of childhood obesity:

- Non nutritious, high fat and sugar content foods and drinks, such as sweets, crisps, fizzy drinks, processed and fast food are cheap and readily available to children particularly when we buy them!

- Physical activity plays a lessening part of most childrens day. With some children never walking or cycling to school or playing any sport; instead theyve substituted that time by spending many hours on the computer or in front of the TV.

- If there is a family history of being overweight or obese, its the shared eating and activity habits which are the highest contributing factors in obesity in children.

How can I prevent or turn around obesity in my child?

Change eating habits and encourage your child to eat a variety of nutritious foods -

Lead by example:

Do not buy high-fat, high-sugar snack foods or drinks

Buy healthy snacks such as Trail Mixes, Raw Chocolate, Goji Berries or make nutritious smoothies with Raw Cacao, Bee Pollen, and fresh fruit

Provide fresh homemade meals, and snacks at regular times to prevent grazing throughout the day

Dont make outings for fast food

Instead get your child involved in shopping, cooking or preparing food this will engage them with different types of food

Encourage your child to grow food, Sprouting for example is great fun, with a highly nutritious result and can be easily done anywhere

Make mealtimes an occasion by eating as a family group, around the table as often as possible

Encourage your child to eat when hungry rather than out of habit, and to stop eating when full

Teach your child to eat food slowly and enjoy it. More nutrition is gained by chewing, and they will feel fuller more quickly and be less likely to overeat

Make sure your child is drinking enough Pure Water.

There are many ways you can help to increase the amount of physical activity your child does -

Encourage walking and cycling to school and friends

Get the whole family involved in activities such as bike rides and swimming, going to the park, playing football, cricket, etc

Visit a local leisure centre to investigate sports and team activities your child could get involved in. Guides and Scouts are another good way to involve your child in group activities and exercise

Make exercise into a treat by taking special trips to an adventure play park, an ice skating rink, laser quest, etc

Be aware that when used to comfort or reward children, food can take on emotional significance.

Be careful not to use food to comfort your child instead give attention and hugs, praise, and talk with them

Dont use food as a reward, as this will reinforce the idea of food as a source of comfort. Therefore, rather than having a take-away or fast food meal to celebrate a good school report for example go to the cinema or have a friend stay overnight instead

Fact Three: Government reports have predicted that levels of obesity among children and young people will continue to rise in the future. If action to tackle this trend is not taken, it is predicted that by 2025 14% of young people under the age of 20 will be obese. (NHS Report 2009)

Want more healthy living ideas for the whole family? Download our Golden Rules for Healthy Living its free and easy to understand.

If you are at all concerned about your childs weight, then talk to a health practitioner or nutritionist

by: Dawn Rising

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