Health Tip: Children Can Become Obese, Too

(HealthDay News) -- Struggles with food and obesity frequently start in childhood

Besides social rejection, overweight children face health risks such as diabetes and heart disease, according to the Johns Hopkins University Bayview Medical Center.

Here are some ways you can help your child avoid a weight problem:

• Never put your child on a low-calorie deprivation diet. You can lower dietary fat, but maintain calories by increasing the consumption of fruit, vegetables, cereals, and breads.
• Children who eat full meals do better nutritionally than children who merely snack. Your child should come to the table hungry, learn how to control hunger, and wait for his meal to be served.
• Remove snack temptations around the house.
• Don''t use desserts and sweets as rewards.
• Have family meals, and set a good example by eating a wide variety of foods.
• Make mealtime pleasant. Don''t use this time for criticizing and scolding.

-- Felicity Stone

Last Updated: Oct. 3, 2006

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