Allow me to be blunt: Our children are fat and they are getting fatter.
While there are many opinions as to the solutions to this epidemic problem - one thing is certain: It starts in the home.
Here are 5 basic strategies for raising healthier, fitter children.
This one may border on harsh. I don't know how many times I've heard parents tell me "he only eats french fries". If french fries were an option every meal, I'd probably only eat them too, if I were 4. As parents our jobs aren't easy. Despite what big food companies would have us believe, children should not be placed in charge of what they eat. Placating a whining child with a sugar/fat/salt bomb does the trick short-term, but making high/empty calorie foods a daily option will send them down a very unhealthy path.
It doesn't matter what you do, just get out there and play. Take the lead and bring the kids outside or to a community center or an indoor pool if it's raining outside. On that note, why let a little rain stop you? Put on the raingear and jump in some puddles.
With non-traditional working schedules and dual-income families, meal times are often on-the-go, fast, or even non-existent. Aside from the obvious benefits of generally healthier meals, it makes for great family bonding time and reduces the likelihood of children taking up smoking, drinking, and drug use. Make time for this at all costs.
Contradiction to point #1? No! Giving choices within the context of healthy eating should be encouraged. Have children pick a recipe, pick their own fruits/veggies and have some say in meals, as well as help out with preparation. This will help empower them to make decisions.
Or an individual sport - something active. Even if your children are less oriented towards athletic pursuits, there are a wide range of active options that will appeal to a wide variety of interests. In addition to helping keep kids fit, being part of a team or a sport in general can help foster teamwork, cooperation and build self-esteem.
Image Credit: icultist
