Diet

Childhood obesity

Causes

Many factors contribute to the growing problem of childhood obesity. It can be a family tendency. This may be due in parts to genetics, but it’s also mostly related to lifestyle. Most children are not active enough, watch too much television and are not eating properly. In Canada, it’s estimated that a quarter of children are overweight and two-thirds of school-age children don’t get enough exercise to optimize their development. Lack of time is often at the heart of the reasons given by children and parents to explain the low levels of physical activity.

Did you know you are entitled to an amount for children fitness of up to $ 500 per year per child for expenses paid during the year when you enroll your child in a physical activity after school? That’s one more reason to encourage your child to be active!
 
Some tips
  • In a leaflet published by the Montreal Children’s Hospital, Dr. Legault, pediatric endocrinologist, provides the following recommendations:
  • It’s best to breastfeed from birth. It’s a great way to avoid excessive weight gain in infants.
  • If the child is gaining weight too quickly, you can use 2% milk from the age of 2.
  • Not enough time to practice sports with your children? Enroll them in sports or play groups.
  • To prevent your children coming home from school and crashing in front of the TV or computer, encourage them to participate in after-school activities
  • Avoid serving and purchasing drinks and snacks high in sugar, which can easily represent 25% of the calories you need in one day
  • Make sure treats are not easily available in the home and avoid buying unhealthy foods (chocolates, chips, candy…). On Halloween, it’s good to set a deadline for getting rid of the collected candy to avoid temptation all year long.
  • Make it clear to your child that food should be consumed during meals and you can’t snack throughout the day
Some basic rules to follow
  • Experts recommend that children spend a minimum of 60 minutes being moderately or intensely active to maximize their chances of staying healthy and maintaining good fitness and a healthy weight.
  • Offer your child a variety of healthy foods that is attractive, good for them and comes from all food groups so they can make the right choices.
  • Don’t forbid the wrong foods. Instead, take the opportunity to teach your children what foods can be eaten every day and which foods should be eaten occasionally.
  • Try to set a good example by following what you preach: remember, you are their role model and they will try to imitate your choices.
Links
Sources
Image de Mariem Melainine

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