- If your child is struggling with their weight you need to become a great role model. It’s time to eat your fruits and veggies, among other healthy food options and start becoming physically active. Your child will learn healthy behaviors through watching you.
- Know that adult weight loss options are not appropriate for children. Kids are still growing and need to have enough nutrients to foster healthy growth.
- Encourage your child to become more active. A family walk or bike ride is a great start. Keep in mind your child may be too self conscious for team sports.
- DO NOT call foods good or bad. This black and white thinking creates an unhealthy attitude toward foods. Focus on eating whole food, healthy options from each of the food categories; fruits, veggies, lean proteins and whole grains. Remember the 80/20 rule. A treat is okay here and there.
- Feed your child and family with proper portion sizes, but still let your child decide when they are done eating. This will help them learn to control their eating for the long term.
- Do not stock your fridge and pantry with high fat (Foods with saturated and trans fats) and sugary foods (this includes diet sodas and sugary juices). If you don’t buy it and bring it home, it won’t be an option.
- If your child is open to talking, find out how they are feeling about being overweight. Watch to ensure your child isn’t using food as a crutch to a problem. Like any addiction, overeating will only cause more problems in the long run.
If you need additional support, please contact me directly at karen@karenhummel.com.
With Karen's education and eighteen years experience in the preventative health, nutrition, and fitness fields and personal experience battling weight, she could not ignore the growing obesity epidemic, especially after the announcement by the surgeon general stating, this would be the first generation to die before their parents due to obesity. This is not a legacy Karen wants to leave behind.