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Baby Fat or a Health Hazard?
“Isn’t she sweet? Just look at those cute little rolls of baby fat.” How often have we heard those words? A chubby baby is a healthy baby – or so we have assumed. But what happens when baby fat becomes a health hazard? When chubby is no longer cute but a start of something more serious – a lifetime of obesity and the health risks that comes with be overweight. Almost one-third of children, age six to eleven, are obese today. But they didn’t magically turn heavy when they became school age. For most it started many years before, as toddlers and preschoolers. It’s often the school age children we hear about because they are tracked through the school system. But the problem starts way before kindergarten and it’s growing. Diet is often the first thing looked at anytime weight is an issue and it is no less important for the younger ones. Children need to be taught good healthy eating habits early in life. It has to start at birth; later intervention often does not work. A study done by the University of Buffalo states that information and counseling on diet and exercise does very little to help toddlers lose weight. The reason this seems to fail is fairly simple. For a toddler to lose weight and be healthy so must the adults in his life, it’s a family deal. So as parents we must be vigilant about introducing the best to our young children. Fruits, vegetables and whole grains rather than sweetened cereals, fast food and soda pop. Breastfeeding exclusively is another major factor in fighting childhood obesity. Moms who breastfeed are one step ahead in helping their children to be healthy. "Parents introduce solid foods too soon to babies and overdo the "good" foods like milk and juice in older children," says Dana Bates, a registered dietician for WIC (Women, Infants & Children). "Wait until babies are 4 months or even older before introducing solid foods. Then start out the right way." Fruit juice is often a hidden culprit. Parents often think since is 100% juice its ok to drink. It is good for you but in moderation, juices still contain sugar and a child can drink way too much of even a good thing. Oddly enough diet and nutrition, while important factors, did not seem to be the major problem that affects weight in preschoolers. Leonard H. Epstein, Ph.D, behavioral medicine specialist states, “Lack of physical activity is the biggest risk factor for the development of obesity in children, next to an obese parent.” Today’s kids are just not as active as past generations. There are television shows and computer games aimed at children as young as one or two. Not to mention these shows are often sponsored by companies that promote foods that are simply not healthy. According to the California Food Advocates it is estimated that the average preschooler watches 25.5 hours of television per week. This age group needs to be moving, playing, running and jumping not living a sedentary lifestyle in front of the T.V. Getting preschoolers moving around is the key. Dr. Paula Elbirt, medical director for the Children’s Aid Society in New York is an advocate of combining exercise with good nutrition in youngsters. “We encourage the families in the schools we work with to go for walks and exercise as much as they can, “says Dr. Elbirt. Dr Joe Risser with the Lindora Medical Group, San Diego, CA. agrees that exercise is key but it may involve some planning. Dr Risser said, “Set up your home environment. If you have a T.V, control it and spend times as a family doing something physically active. Exercising as a family will benefit everyone. Go for walks on a regular basis, visit the playground, or just run around the yard chasing your three year old. The two of you will not only feel better but you will have spent time together too. If you live in an area where it may not be safe to walk or play in you will need to come up with alternatives. Walk at the mall, use T.V time to watch children’s exercise videos and work out with them or get together with other moms and dads for group play. Being active combined with a healthy nutritional lifestyle started early in life is the way to prevent overweight tikes. Preventing the problem is a whole lot easier than curing it. Often it is never cured – approximately one-third of overweight children will be overweight adults. Obesity in preschoolers is not something we can ignore as parents. We need to aggressively address the problem. The health risks alone are major – diabetes, stroke, heart trouble – and can be prevented. All it takes is a bit of effort on our part. We need to make sure our children eat right from birth and get plenty of exercise. We need to do these things in our own lives as well. Being a good example of the right things is often the best cure of all. Side Bar 1: Tips to Help Toddlers Eat Healthy · Keep toddler size cut up fruits veggies on hand – carrot, apple or celery slices dipped in peanut butter or low fat cream cheese are easy. · Homemade granola with nuts and dried fruits are healthier than prepackaged sweetened cereals. · Add a splash of juice to a glass of water. They get the fruity flavor without all the sugar. · Make meal time fun. Turn plain fruit into a funny face, eat one color of food, breakfast foods for dinner. · Eat together – families who eat together often eat healthier and have quality family time too. · Let them help cook – preschoolers love to be in the kitchen. Give them and apron and a spoon and let them go for it! Sidebar 2: Get That Preschooler Moving!
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Copyright Belinda Mooney 2005 |