A recent study has highlighted some alarming concerns that will definitely force you to think about your forthcoming generations.
According to the New England Journal of Medicine, more than half of today's kids are at a high risk of turning into obese adults, even if they're not on the healthier side as of now. Researchers claim that a decent percentage of children in the United States will turn obese by the age of 35, with more than half of the consequences notable in childhood itself.
Now, this is quite a worrisome situation, not only for the parents but also for public health. Considering the outcome, if half of the population is obese by the age of 35, there will be a storm of chronic health diseases that are caused by obesity, including heart diseases, diabetes, and much more.
Wade Austin Ellis/Unsplash | Researchers claim that a decent percentage of children in the United States will turn obese by the age of 35 if their parents don't intervene
So, what can be done? Can parents play an integral role in eliminating such conditions right when their children are still growing up? Are there any kind of preventive measures that can save your children from this alarming future?
The answer is "YES"! But only if you follow these tips.
#1 - Say no to carbonated drinks and canned juices
Natalie Muth, a pediatrician, suggests don't introduce your kids to these sugary drinks. Don't buy them, and keep them away from your children. These drinks consist of a very high percentage of sugar content, they're highly addictive, and loaded with unnecessary carbohydrates. Once your child starts having them regularly, they'll ask for it time and again, and soon it'll start deteriorating their health.
Khamkhor/Unsplash | Motivate your kids to have nutritious food, inculcate the importance of having a healthy diet, and lastly, be a part of their mealtime
#2 - Indulge your child in consuming nutrients rich food
As a parent, you must indulge your child in understanding the importance of a balanced diet. Remember, childhood is a tender age. Your kids will adapt to a lifestyle that you wish to present in front of them. Motivate them to have nutritious food, inculcate the importance of having a healthy diet, and lastly, be a part of their mealtime. Watch their portions, switch off the screens and enjoy at least 20-30 minutes of dinner time together.
#3 - Teach them to question themselves before binge eating
Even though we as adults end up bingeing on the entire bowl of nachos and popcorn while we're watching our favorite movie, the reality is, we aren't actually hungry; all we want to do is pass our free time. Which is why inculcating a healthy habit of questioning our hunger cues is extremely essential. Teach your children to question themselves, "am I really hungry or just bored?" “Can I hold it till dinner time?” “What are the healthy options that can be switched with chips?”
Sharon McCutcheon/Unsplash | Teach your children to question themselves, "am I really hungry or just bored?" “Can I hold it till dinner time?”
Final thoughts
If you're worried about your child's health and his growth years, welcome to the group. Every parent goes through this concern innumerable times. The best advice we can give you is, talk to your pediatrician and try to be in touch with them regularly. Opt for routine checkups and consultation, but don't be too restrictive and stigmatic towards your child. Focus on staying healthy and maintaining that lifestyle in the longer run.
