Heart Disease Prevention Starts in Childhood: What You Can Do to Protect Your Child

On the front page of the December issue of the Pediatric News journal is the new recommendation to test all 9 to 11 year olds for cholesterol level. According to this article, "...heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular problems in adulthood are often the end result of cardiovascular risk factors that went unrecognized throughout childhood..." (Splete)

I'm glad to see that we, as pediatricians, are acknowledging the fact that heart disease, like many other diseases, really starts in childhood. And while I fully support the screening process, I'm much more interested in prevention. What should we do during that first decade of our children's lives to make the screening unnecessary? It's all about diet and lifestyle.

For the past thirty years, child health has been going in the wrong direction. Childhood overweight and obesity has skyrocketed during the past 3 decades. And that trend is directly linked to the increased incidence of a variety of heart related disorders in children, most notably high blood pressure, metabolic syndrome, and high cholesterol levels. This is a very serious problem, given that epidemiologists are proposing that life expectancy for this rising generation of children could be shortened by as much as eight years. So, what are the primary factors leading to these disturbing trends?

Our reliance on convenient foods that are full of additives and sugar while deficient in nutrients. Our fast paced lifestyle has us purchasing more fast food, and more prepackaged foods to feed our families compared to previous generations.
our schools are largely feeding our children prepared, and often fried foods, offering minimal fruits and vegetables. Schools also rely heavily on snack and soda vending machines for revenue, at the expense of children's health.
our children are leading sedentary, technology saturated lifestyles. With the average child spending about 7 hours using media daily (yikes!), our children are being deprived of needed physical activity. And schools have severely reduced or eliminated physical education in the curriculum.

We need to make some fundamental changes in the way we feed our children. Don't believe the myth that children don't need to worry about what they eat until they grow older. We have known for years that the roots of heart disease begin in childhood. And remember, the habits they develop in childhood will persist into adulthood, so we want to instill the right habits now. Here's what we can do:

Provide our children with a diet high in fruits and vegetables. Studies have shown that even as early as toddler age, our children's diets are severely deficient in fruits and vegetables. It will take creativity given their finicky appetites, but there are numerous resources available. Check out "The Sneaky Chef" by Missy Chase Lapine or the website http://www.cancerproject.org for menu ideas.
Provide more home cooked meals for our children, so that we can ensure that they are receiving freshly prepared and healthy ingredients in their meals. Studies have shown that children who eat more meals at home have lower rates of obesity and other health problems.
Get our children exercising more. The recommended level of activity is 60 minutes of vigorous activity every day. I know it sounds daunting, but just getting them outside for free play will peak their natural tendency to exercise. And we can exercise with them. Remember to make it fun. Playing ball together, family walks, or even family P90X.

We often say that we want our children to have a better life than we have; so let's give them a better legacy of health and longevity!

Reference:

Splete, H. Test Cholesterol in all 9- to 11-year olds. Pediatric News. December 2011, Vol 45, No. 12.

Dr. Teresa Fuller is double board certified in pediatrics and integrative holistic medicine. She also has a doctorate in physiology. She if founder of A Healthy Tomorrow, whose mission is to restore America's children to the legacy of health that they deserve. Her goal is to equip families with information and resources to improve children's health. Check out her website, http://www.ahealthytomorrow.org, to learn about more ways to prevent and reverse disease, and to subscribe to our e-newsletter.

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3 Benefits of Keeping Kids Active and Avoid Childhood Obesity

because the rates of childhood obesity has increased in this age of convenience. Everyday my life requires me to interact with children, whether they are mine or others. Most people in my community and my friends for that matter all call me Coach. That's because I coach baseball, basketball, flag, football, tackle football and any other sport if there aren't enough volunteers.

Besides coaching sports, I am a substitute teacher. When substituting, I try to keep the kids active even if it's not a physical education class. Literally, my goal is to keep their heart rate up because they risk obesity due to inactivity. I do this through stretching and chair exercise if we are in a class room. Some don't like it, but most do because it's different.

If you have kids, many times you'll see them bouncing around like a new born deer, because they are so full of energy. On the other hand, we as adults get lazy and start thinking about how soon we can sit down in front of the TV and become mesmerized. This is a contributing factor to the rise in adult obesity.

How many times have you had a kid come up to you and ask "will you play with me?" Don't pass up these opportunities.

There is a threefold benefit here:

You are keeping them active, therefore they are getting essential exercise for both physical and mental well being.You as the adult are being active and getting much needed exerciseYou are building a lifelong memory by being active with the child and he or she will love you for it. Many times when older kids are asked what cheers them up, then answer my be surprising but it's typically when they were doing something with a parent or adult they look up to.

Even if it isn't your child, that's okay; because, you are being a role model. Have your child bring a friend, chances are they may have a parent that should get active as well. This will help bring them into the fold. Living in an age of electronics, it's too easy to become physically inactive.

Currently, Doctors are recommending that kids as well as adults get 30 minutes of exercise per day. This doesn't have to be 30 minutes all in one setting. I can be broken up into two 15 minute segments or three 10 minutes segments. As your activity level increases this won't seem like much time at all. It will be over before you know it and you'll be yearning for more.

So my dear friend, If you are asking yourself are there more than 3 benefits of keeping kids active to avoid childhood obesity? I would urge you to consider the three benefits above and for more visit my website http://squidoo.com/7-steps-to-stop-obesity-overweight-problems-for-fat-kids there you will find 7 elements that are crucial, so I urge you to click to my site right now.

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Childhood Obesity Part 2

This is part 2 of the 2 part article discussing childhood obesity. In this part I will discuss how children are the victims of marketing and how parents can become their children's role model.

The next time you find your son or daughter parked in front of the TV watching the same cartoon you've heard a thousand times but have never seen, stop and watch. Sit down with your kid and pay close attention to the commercials. They are designed to instruct your child to bug you for the newest toy or snack. There is actually a snack that you can temporarily tattoo your tongue with!

The marketing of processed fatty fast food is hard to resist. With the huge portion sizes and the toys and cartoon character that are in a kids face 8 hours a day on 10 different cartoon channels. Who can expect a child to resist. And the convenience, that is what sells the parents. After being at work for the last 8-10 hours, the last thing Mom or Dad want to do is cook dinner. So on the way home we pick up some burgers and fries for dinner. The kids, again, have no choice. The parents are the direct line to the fatty, sugary, salty mess that is fast food.

As much as I would like to blame "Big Business" for our children's weight problem, the truth is parents are to blame. We have the power to say NO to bad food and YES to walking and jumping and playing. I realize there may be some genetic issues which may lead to obesity like slow metabolism or a thyroid problem but for the most part diet and lack of exercise is to blame I have read a lot of articles on childhood obesity and few of them spent more than a sentence talking about genetics. Mostly it's the example set forth by the parents that causes childhood obesity. If parents are not home when the child comes home from school, children tend to over consume fatty, sweet and salty snacks. If the parents do not exercise than the child probably won't exercise either.

Parental influence, I believe, is the top reason children become fat or obese. The influence a parent has on a child can not be understated. Even from birth the choices made by parents may influence if a child becomes fat or not. Some studies have shown that breast feeding is better for a child than bottle feeding. The thought being that a breast fed baby stops eating when they are satisfied whereas a bottle fed baby is encouraged to drink the whole bottle. Other studies have indicated that breast fed babies are introduced to multiple flavors influenced by the mother's diet. Bottle fed babies are exposed only to the flavor of the formula. Also the availability of fruits and vegetables early in their life predisposes them to acceptance of fruits and vegetables as school children.

Children do not shop, parents do. The parents decide what types of food will be in the house and available for the child to eat. If the child is home unsupervised, what choice does the child have but to snack on chips and cookies found in the pantry.

There are new programs and ad campaigns directed at the childhood obesity epidemic. The First Lady, Michelle Obama, has begun the "Let's Move" campaign aimed at helping kids make healthy choices. Due to all the reasons specified in this article, The First Lady recommends giving parents the knowledge to make healthy food choices for their family, provide healthy foods in schools and helping kids become more active. But like all programs aimed at helping, there is a group which does not approve of The First Lady's "Let's Move" campaign. Those against Mrs. Obama's campaign is the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance (NAAFA). This group believes the "Let's Move" campaign singles out fat and obese kids as unhealthy and will bring undo ridicule on them. Therefore the "Let's Move" campaign should educate everyone, of all sizes, to lead a healthy life style. NAAFA believes you can be heavy and be healthy. NAAFA is a civil rights organization not a health organization. You can visit their web site at http://www.naafaonline.com/dev2/.

Another campaign that NAAFA is against is a public service campaign is Georgia. This new campaign is drawing controversy for how it depicts fat children. The first phase of the campaign can viewed here http://www.healthhabits.ca/2012/01/03/stop-sugarcoating-childhood-obesity/. The campaign is meant to be a three phase public service announcement. Phase 1 is meant to attract attention, which it is doing. Phase 2 will educate parents that there are ways to prevent and reverse childhood obesity. Phase 3 will offer support and tools to battle obesity.

Ray Antonacci, http://www.oururgentcare.com,
Make Our Urgent Care, Your Urgent Care.
Visit us at the above link or if your in our area visit us for your urgent care needs.

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Easy Tricks to Get Kids Exercising and Loving It!

Physical activity is equally important for both kids and adults if they want to lose weight or maintain it. A majority of kids spend more than 20 hours per week watching TV, surfing internet or playing video games which leaves no room for physical activity. And even though you give them a chance to do some physical activity, they often avoid it because it does not trigger their interest. So the best thing to do is include some of their favorite things in simple activities and it will sooner rather than later get your kids off the couch. For example, your kids will be exercising as well as loving the activity by just following some of these tips!

Taking the Dog for a walk: Kids love pets! A good way to turn this love for pets into a physical activity is to get them a dog. Prior to getting them the dog, make a deal with them that it's their responsibility to take it on walks. You can add more fun to this activity by getting them a Frisbee, which will keep them involved in training the dog and meanwhile they're burning calories.
Add Allowance: If your kids are into earning their allowance. Then it's your best bet to convert this allowance earning into a physical activity. Give them allowance for performing chores that require physical work, such as mowing the lawn, raking leaves, or even a car wash! What persuades kids is the outcome of the activity, and when the outcome is monetary or something tangible, then they are sure to love the activity and perform it every now and then.
Lead by Example: Kids usually learn from their elders, and try to relate to their older family members. So if you are a parent and are into fitness chances are that your kid will also turn out to be a fitness conscious person. What you could do is to indulge them in your activities. Like when you go for a walk in the evening take your kid with you, and on the way you can both chat about school stories or what happened in the day. It will make your parent-child bond grow, and the kids will enjoy the walk.
Amusement Parks and Zoo: If you have an amusement park or even regular parks in your neighborhood then take your kids daily in the evening to play and mingle with kids of their own age. This will give them a chance to be both socially and physically active. Also, frequent trips to the zoo will definitely keep the kids moving!
Just Dance: Turn on the music and shake your body! Dancing is one of the most enjoyable and fascinating ways to burn calories. Get your kids to join you and make it a family dance, it does not need to be any specific kind of dance. Just let the kids enjoy it! As long as they keep moving your mission is being accomplished.

Children have very active minds, and this is the phase of life where you can turn them into a couch potato or a fitness fanatic. Parents can make all the difference in how they can be. Remember there are tons of other ways to get your child active that ride the line of fitness and leisure. So be creative, and most of all, have fun!

Wendy Ida, 59 years young, Fitness Coach & Best-Selling Author of Take Back Your Life! My No Non Sense Approach to Health, Fitness & Looking Good Naked!

No matter what your age, it's not too late to take charge. Wendy Ida provides the motivation and education to make health and fitness a priority - and enables you to put this life-changing decision into practice.

Tap into Wendy's wealth of knowledge and inspiration through her Personal Fitness Training, Media Events, Health Seminars, Guest Speaking and Topical Articles at http://wendyidafitness.com

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Teaching Fitness to Kids

ByZero Carter

Obesity is a problem not only for adults but for kids as well. Today more and more kids are becoming overweight and one major reason is because of technology.

Technology played a key role in making things simpler and more convenient for everyone, yet they also played a major role in reducing physical activities of children. Kids today would rather play video games, watch TV or DVDs, or surf the internet rather than play tag, go biking, play sports and so on. Without these physical activities, kids are at risk to become obese, even before they reach their puberty.

So what must be done?

The major responsibility of course would fall on the parents. It is their duty to encourage their kids to engage in physical activities instead of playing video games all day. One thing parents can do is to initiate the activity. There are a lot of activities that you can do with your kids that doesn't require any electronics or gadgets. Go to the park, teach them how to ride a bike, teach them sports, go swimming and so on.

If they're really persistent on playing video games, encourage them to play games that require physical movement. There are a lot of games that require physical movement, Wii for starters offer a variety of games that is physical but fun. You can also use TV and DVD to get them interested in sports or other physical activity by letting them watch how fun it is to do it.

Teaching kids how to exercise is also a good strategy. You can start teaching them basic and simple exercises that they can do when they wake up. This will also help your kids as they grow up as they will develop a good habit of physical fitness. It is never to early to teach kids how to exercise, there are lot of exercises that are simple, basic, easy to follow and not very strenuous. You just have to teach the kids how to properly perform the exercise and remind them to avoid straining themselves too much.

Obesity among kids is a growing concern and cannot be overlooked. The lack of physical activity is a major factor that contributes to obesity and it can be solved with the proper guidance and encouragement from parents. One way to solve the problem is to teach kids to do basic, simple and easy-to-follow exercises.

My name Zero Carter is I'm an internet marketer who enjoys doing research online.

Do you find the article useful? You can learn more about weight problems with kids in http://healthandfitnessforkids.blogspot.com/

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Childhood Obesity a Growing Problem

Childhood Obesity is an increasing problem for minorities. To help your child, here are suggestions:

1. Work at being healthy yourself. Remember: experts say that a child who lives in the house with two obese parents has an 80 % percent risk of becoming overweight, and if he or she has only one parent who is obese, the risk is 70%. The risk drops to 7% if both parents are normal weight.

2. Cook at home. The more families eat at fast food restaurants, the greater the risk of being overweight.

3. Give up the soft drinks. They are high in calories and loaded with sugar.

4. Substitute healthy snacks for chips, cupcakes and other fattening, salty foods you buy for kids.

5. Buy more fresh fruits and vegetables. If you can't get the freshest vegetables, move to frozen vegetables.

6. Reduce the amount of fatty meats you buy and cook.

7. Cut back on fried foods, such as chicken and fish. Those 'french fries', that children and adults love from the many fast food stores that crowd some communities, help to clog up the arteries and pack on the weight.

8. Control food portions. The portion sizes of meals has tripled. We are eating more food than we need. No need for seconds and thirds.

9. Get everybody moving. Turn off the television, go for walks, or go to the community center or Y to exercise.

10. Be an Advocate:

- At your child's school, push for outdoor recess, gym classes, and after-school athletics.

- Ask your administrators about replacing soda and candy with healthy water, fruits and snacks

- Tell your public officials that you want more safe places for kids to play in your area, and

- Support Farmer's Markets that help to provide fresh, affordable and accessible food to your community.

Increasing Prevalence of Obesity in U.S. Population

The percent of U.S. adults with obesity increased in White, Hispanic, and African American U.S. populations, but most strikingly, among African Americans between 1988 and 1994, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

The best approach to overweight and obesity prevention is to:

- Start early and be consistent in promoting and facilitating healthy eating and regular physical activity for both children and teens.

- However, to accomplish this, or recommend it to others, one must first understand and appreciate the context and environment in which the effort will be, or is being, made.

Dr. Goodwin earned her B.S. degree from Virginia State University and her M.D. degree from the Medical College of Virginia.

Dr. Goodwin is President and Editor-in-Chief of http://healthpowerforminorities.com

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The Importance Of Sports In A Child's Development

Games and sports are an opportunity for children to mingle with other kids and get some exercise. Children should not be deprived of outdoor play and should instead be encouraged to participate. Games and sports provide a more fulfilled childhood especially for those whose passion lies in sports. A child should be encouraged to pursue a game or sport that he or she loves in order to develop their self-confidence.

Building Relationships

Games and sports can help a child establish friendships. Being in a team and being friends with their teammates makes him feel accepted, which can eliminate their insecurities. The child is able to appreciate the value of friendship and he eventually learns to develop relationships elsewhere. Having friends teaches a child to share, communicate and cooperate whenever they needs to. They also learn to understand how people are different from one another and adapt to these differences. Children who participate in games and sports are also able to effectively communicate with other people.

Leadership Skills

The leadership skills of a child are better harnessed if he or she is given the chance to participate in groups or teams. Participating in games and sports teaches children to follow rules from a leader. Because children learn by example, they learn how to lead their own teams and apply their skills inside the classroom and in other occasions where leadership is needed.

Self-Confidence

Team sports expose a child to many people and allow them to experience many things. Exposure to people increases a child's self-confidence. They are able to use this newfound confidence in school and in dealing with other people.

Physical Fitness

Games and sports keep a child physically healthy while providing a form of recreation. This is especially true for those children who are part of teams that practice regularly. It becomes easier to maintain a regular exercise especially if the child meets their friends during practice. Coaches also encourage the children to maintain a healthy diet along with regular practices. Failure to maintain a healthy weight may result in elimination from the team, so children are motivated to do better and keep their bodies healthy.

Life Lessons

Studies show that games and sport help children keep a busy life, which prevents their involvement in drug addiction, sexual activities and alcoholism at a young age. Instead of engaging in these acts, children who participate in games and sport spend most of their time practicing, playing and hanging out with friends who have the same hobby.

Team sports teach a child that putting his best efforts is far more important than winning. At an early age, he is also taught how to respect other people-even their opponents. The child is then able to use these life lessons in the community, in the classroom and in other occasions.

Raising strong, active and healthy children in today's fast-paced and fast food environment gets harder and harder with each passing day. To get tips and ideas about child fitness, child health and child nutrition and learn how to keep your children healthy, strong and happy. At Concerning Kids, you will discover fun things to do that will help your healthy kids live longer, live stronger and lead a more fun, active and healthy lifestyle.

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Steps That You Can Take to Help an Overweight Child

Today, it is a fact that the percentage of people in America who are overweight and those who are suffering from eating disorders is rapidly on the rise and the sad thing is that many of these people are our children. There are many parents who are totally shocked when they witness their children eating large amounts of food and when they begin to put on extra pounds, they put the hammer down on them to shed the excess weight. Most kids are naïve about the food choices that they make, so as a parent it is our responsibility to teach our children the importance of healthy eating instead of criticizing them about what they eat all of the time.

If you are the parent of an overweight child there is no need to panic because there are ways to encourage your child to lose those extra pounds while at the same time not getting into a confrontation with them all of the time.

The first thing that you need to remember is to choose your words carefully when you talk to your children about their eating habits as harsh words can often have long-term effects on your child's health. If you are constantly harping or nagging at them about their eating, this can cause them to suppress their emotions and keep them inside and this is not a good thing for their well-being. The best thing that you can do is to set a good example for them. If you want them to eat certain foods such as vegetables, make sure that you enjoy them also because it will be a lot easier to develop good eating habits in your children if you possess them yourself.

You need to keep in mind that your overall goal is not a strict diet, but a healthier lifestyle for your child. The key to success is to properly educate your child on healthy food choices and you do this by making smart food choices for yourself in front of your children. If your child constantly sees you scoffing up candy bars or eating a gallon of ice cream and then you scold them for having an extra piece of cake, they will become frustrated and may decide not to listen to your advice any longer. Make sure that you also teach them the importance of proper daily nutrition and the best time to do this is not at the dinner table where they may feel pressured, but at a place where they feel relaxed.

Do not force your child to exercise. Instead encourage them to participate in things with you know that you know they enjoy and this way you can get them moving. Invite them on a walk or challenge them to a one on one game of basketball or ask them to take a bike ride with you and these are all good forms of exercise. If your child is sensitive about showing their body, choose activities that avoid this.

Try to get your child involved with playing with other children in your neighborhood. This is difficult for some kids especially if they have been picked on by others because of their weight. Some kids are too embarrassed to play with other kids and this is a big issue for them and you need to be respectful of this. If they are able to play with others, this is a great way to build up their self-esteem and they will respect you for doing this.

Last of all make sure that you do not force your child to eat less because your child will not appreciate you constantly keeping at and hovering over them. There are a lot of children who turn to eating for comfort at a very young age and this is not a healthy thing for them. The key is to try to provide them with healthy alternatives that will be better for them. Instead of eating potato chips, offer them popcorn and when they are craving soda, offer them a fruit drink or smoothie.

Dealing with your child's weight problem will prove to be a challenge, but when you approach it in a friendly way, your child will be much more open to the idea and you can work together with them to hopefully solve the weight problem once and for all.

I hope that you enjoyed this article and if you would like some great free information on eating healthy, please visit my web site where you will find some great tips to help you live a long and healthy life.

I am a 54 year old retired mill worker from Northern Maine. I am happily married with 3 wonderful boys. My main interests are my family and God. I own a eating healthy web site with great tips and information that is designed to help you live a healthier and longer life.

www.eatinghealthyhub.com

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Why Physical Fitness Class Is Better Than Club/Membership Involvement for Students

As a future physical educator, I've learned the very importance of physical education while studying for my degree, but even more so with the involvement with my students. The truth of the matter is physical education class is vital to any student's success in the future. In the early grades we go over key motor skill and development tasks. As we progress through the grades, we target other more in depth skills, such as strategy and cooperative games, that incorporate these fundamental motor skills. This directly can be associated with our National Association of Sport and Physical Education standards, but more importantly teach students how to participate in a variety of skills. Other than these tasks, we also are able to associate physical fitness with fun and positive experiences, by offering our students a chance to expand in their imagination and creativity. These are also vital skills that teach students to come up with their own ideas and to adapt to different environments, as they will need to do these tasks on a daily basis. The physical education class is the only place that can allow such a dramatic and dynamic learning atmosphere.

The main reason clubs and other various programs do not and will not ever be able to fulfill the skills learned in our physical education class is because they are all based of specificity training. Specificity training is when clubs, memberships, etc. train children and adolescence to be particular good at one skill. For example, swimming memberships specifically would train students to only be proficient in in-water activities. However, it is common knowledge that a majority of physical fitness happens outside the water rather than in it. While I find the program to be of great value for those who want to go on to swim competitively, it does not teach the motor skills needed to even participate in swimming.

Let's say you were a student who joined the swim team in your area because your physical education class was terminated at the beginning of the year. Now that your program is cut, you need to attend swim practice after school three times a week for one hour. This means that homework along with dinner will have to wait or be rescheduled for a different time. You are also swimming around 20-50 laps during practice and learning the max of the four strokes available to swimmers. Now imagine that your physical education class was not terminated and is scheduled twice a week during your school day. After a given subject classes you go the gymnasium to find out this week and next you will be touching on your basketball skills with an instant activity and a scooter basketball tournament. The following two weeks your will be playing racket ball with again an instant activity, as well as, a mini round robin tournament. This example shows how there are multiple of other factors that go into students needing to attend an outside activity rather than a physical education class; for example, after school time taken away from valuable homework time and the fact that being involved in only one activity stiffens a student's skills and imagination. Also, it is imperative that as physical educator's we place emphasis on not only team sports, but also individual sports. Even back yard games such as Can Jam and Horse Shoes are games played at family and community events. If we do not teach these basic games to our students who will? Put yourself in our student's shoes with this example and examine which is truly better for accomplishing both these goals. The answer is physical education.

It is our duty as a physical education program to teach these skills to our students and associate them with positive memories. This will in turn allow students to be excited about physical fitness and be much more successful in the helping them continue to participate in physical fitness throughout their life. This is goal of not just the physical education class but expands throughout our community. As fitness is one of the essentials of life, it is one that is necessary to promote in our communities in a way that has value and success. The physical education classroom is our answer.

Kelly-Ann Smith

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Gluten Free, Dairy Free Diet for Children

A plethora of information is on the internet, in magazines, on the radio and television about whether or not gluten and dairy products play a role in autistic behavior. Neurotransmitters and neuroreceptors in the stomach correspond with those in the brain - this information leads folks to believe that some kids will benefit from the diet. Current research looks at the influence of gluten and milk proteins in the intestinal function. Gluten is a protein in wheat; casein and whey are proteins in milk. Serious evidence needs to be obtained about the diet and the effects it has on each individual child.

Each child on the Autism Spectrum has a different chemical makeup, thereby, certain foods and vitamins affect each child differently. One child may respond well to the diet's vitamins, although for another, it may increase aggressive behavior. While others see an increase, over time, it steadily decreases; others may plateau to the point of the behavior entirely diminishing. Although some children do benefit from this diet, other children have significant changes in behavior or personality, and may even gain or lose weight. If you are thinking of putting your child on a diet or on vitamin therapy, consult with a nutritionist before starting therapy.

Many children have gastrointestinal problems such as constipation and diarrhea. One of the hallmark signs of Autism is rigidity - in routines, foods, activities, and transitions. For children, having a rigid diet is one of those routines that they do not want changed. Many of them do not get the needed nutrients from a variety of foods, therefore, they are not receiving the benefits intended with a well-rounded diet. Some children will only eat salty, crunchy foods, while others will only eat foods that are red and round. Whether these problems are linked to brain development is a question that is being researched.

Children with Autism also have a flavor for objects and items that are not foods - such as chemicals - glass cleaner, dusting spray, soap, lead paint, dirt, metal, etc. Something in their body is either lacking or missing altogether, which is why the body is seeking to replace what is lost. This is similar to you craving something salty, if your body is lacking salt, then you find yourself craving products such as condiments or meats high in salt. Does the diet eliminate this craving?

Vitamin therapies include combinations of Vitamin B and magnesium as they produce improved performance and attention, and decrease bad behaviors. Dramatic improvement occurs after a child is free from chemical additives and allergenic foods eliminated from the diet. Some diets are comprised of 50-75% raw foods (not including raw meats). No junk foods, sugar or white flour products are given, and only steam -distilled water is given to drink. Choline, DMG, magnesium plus calcium, vitamin B complex plus niacinamide, B3, B5, and Vitamin C are the most important supplements to help improve brain function and circulation to the brain. DMG is an oxygen carrier to the brain, important for normal brain and nervous system function.

There are other types of cleansing and fasting diets and treatments to rid the body of chemicals, but as always, please check with your doctor before starting any diet program. Remember - your DNA is much different than your Autistic son or daughter's DNA. What may not work for them, may work for you. Do not try their drugs or supplements, in the dosages their doctors prescribe for them. You trying their therapy and drugs is NOT an indication of how well the diet will work for them.

Julie Callicutt is the owner of Ferko Therapeutic Group, a company specializing in providing intensive rehabilitation therapy to children with disabilities, specifically those on the Autism Spectrum. Julie's services include 1:1 intensive therapy, coaching/mentoring of caregivers and making herself available to speak at local and national early childhood conferences. If you would like more information, please visit, http://www.ferkotherapy.com.

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Lose Weight Fast - Why Childhood Obesity Is Increasing

ByMike Derfasi

In the United States today, one of every three children is obese. This is the major health issue in that country. Obesity, especially in people so young, leads to early onset Diabetes, strokes and heart attacks, even in the adolescent years. It may be linked to some cancers. There are two reasons for this health issue, poor eating habits and lack of exercise.

Your child cannot lose weight fast until both of these deficiencies are corrected. However, that is harder than you think, because most of us crave unhealthy meals. We eat processed foods which are loaded with artificial colors, sugars and salt. Readymade dinners, breakfasts and lunches fill the freezer sections and shelves of most grocery stores as well as calorie dense deserts, snacks and concentrated fruit juices. Look at your grocery store, how much of it contains fresh produce, dairy and meat sections, in comparison to processed, canned and frozen foods?

Unhealthy foods are everywhere because they taste better and more convenient. There is hardly a store you walk into today which does not have candy and snacks near the checkout counter, including department stores, home improvement stores, even fabric stores and pet stores. There is a portion of fresh meats, dairy products and eggs contain certain amounts of chemicals fed to animals so they can produce more, grow faster, or stay healthier. These, according to recent studies, stimulate fat cell growth. Even plants can be injected with chemicals, rubbed with waxes, and given added colors. They can be picked before they are fully developed and then artificially ripened with gases on the way to market reducing their nutritional value. People say they can't afford organic foods and locally grown produce and meats. However, health is your most valuable possession so hold it tight and never let it go.

Furthermore, our kids are becoming sedentary, physical education programs have been shortened or cut, computer games and TV have taken the place of physical activities. Luckily, the newer games get kids active and moving. Still, in the 1960's kids watched an average of 5 hours of TV a week. Today, many watch that much a day.

Good habits start young. If you want your child to lose weight fast, be the parent with the touch love attitude. Stop buying the wrong foods, pack their lunches, talk to them about the importance of good eating habits and make exercise a part of their daily routine. Finally, kids imitate mom and dad, so follow your own advice. Exercise with them, and share healthy meals together. You may discover the house is a happier place, everyone sleeps better and doctor visits will be less often. You may even discover that you lose weight fast as well.

If your ready to melt and slash the fat off your body naturally, click on the link to lose weight fast at Fitness Watchers

Mike Derfasi holds a Masters degree in Food and Nutrition Science from Curtin University of Technology

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Child Nutrition: Help Your Child Be Healthy

ByDhames Wary Karthiges

The food your child eats is important not only now but also for the rest of his or her life. A small child is going to need various types of foods for energy to play, grow, and to build a healthy body. Muscles and bones are forming over the first fifteen years of life, and when eating the right types of foods and including smart nutrition your child is more likely to avoid sickness and to ward off some types of disease.

Your child's nutrition

Your child's nutrition is going to start with you. You child is going to see what foods you eat, and when you are more likely to eat them, and your child is going to build their own habits from those habits he or she sees you following. If you eat breakfast on the go, all the time, your child will feel this is normal and ok, but you should be sitting down to a breakfast every morning for good nutrition basics. Even if you are eating a bowl of cereal or you are enjoying a glass of juice, taking five minutes will encourage better eating habits.

Nutrition for your child's health

Healthy beginnings start with fruits, vegetables and good portions of meats. The food pyramid is going to be important in the early stages of life so that your child will learn to eat many types of foods, and not only the foods they like the taste and looks of. Giving your child many options in life will help them pick foods that are better for them in the long run. Healthy children are not going to eat burgers and fries for every meal, but they will have a well-rounded life with nutrition builders such as fruits, vegetables, meat, and variations of these builders.

Teaching good habits for your child's nutrition awareness will start with reading labels. Learn about what preservatives and additives are in some of the foods you are eating, and then talk about these with your child as they grow. Include foods that are all natural, or that contain very little preservatives for a solid start in their understanding of nutrition.

Be patient.

Don't try to force your children to eat if they refuse to finish their meal. By creating drama in the kitchen, you set a bad tone for the future. Kids will automatically think of mealtime as a negative experience and will only become more reluctant when it comes to eating. Be persistent by offering a variety of foods along with those you know they like. As new foods become familiar, your children will be more likely to try them.

Diet and Fitness Tips for Lasting Weight Loss for Kids and Teens

ByJoe Busch

One of the largest challenges that any child can face is being overweight. Not only are overweight children more likely to be heavy adults, but they also face many emotional and physical side effects even as kids because of the extra weight. They may become withdrawn, suffer from low self-esteem, and avoid activities that they enjoy because they feel that they are too overweight to participate.

If your child or teenager is overweight and needs to lose weight, they can follow some of these easy-to-use diet and fitness tips. These will help them change their minds about healthy food and get moving in a fun, yet effective, way.

Diet Tips

No one wants to go on a "diet" and kids most certainly will balk at the idea of diet food. But healthy eating principles are more than just a fad diet or something that will last for a few weeks. Nutritious noshing should be an essential part of any child's everyday life (as well as any adult!) and so kids need to apply principles to their everyday eating that can be turned into long-term habits. Some ways that kids can change how they eat and lose weight in a healthy, sustainable way include:

Cut back on junk food, but do not cut it out completely. Many kids struggle with feeling like they cannot eat the things that they really love because they are on a diet. If your teen or kid simply eats what they love in moderation, filling up on the good stuff and then having junk food as an occasional treat, they can lose weight and keep it off. As soon as a kid thinks that they can never have French fries or candy again, they will covet them even more. Moderation is the key with junk food.
Focus on eating at the table and not in front of the television. Kids should avoid eating in front of the television or the computer, because this is when they eat when they are not hungry and eat more than they need to. Try encouraging everyone in the family to eat meals and snacks at the kitchen table.
Avoid fast foods and make meals and snacks at home. Fast food can be dangerous to any healthy lifestyle. Children who eat meals and snacks at home as opposed to at fast food restaurants tend to be at healthier weights than those who exist solely on drive-through fare.
Build meals around fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables contain essential vitamins and minerals and are the perfect base for any meal or snack. Kids can lose weight simply from swapping French fries and candy for veggies and fruits.

Exercise Tips

No healthy life makeover for kids is complete without exercise. Some top tips for kids to follow to get in shape and stay healthy include:

Move for 20-30 minutes a day. Kids can walk their dog around the blog, go for a jog, shoot hoops in the front yard, jump rope or any other physical activity for 20-30 minutes per day. This can help them to get active and burn calories while doing something that is enjoyable.
Take up a new sport. Sports are one of the best ways for kids and teens to lose weight because they are fun and they foster a sense of connection with other kids. Look for neighborhood baseball or soccer leagues, sports at school that are "no cut" sports (like track and cross country) or even sports leagues at your local gym or church.
Play video games that are active. Many new video games combine video game play with exercise, such as Wii games. Kids can play these for a half an hour or so after school and get the necessary activity they need to be healthy.

Teenagers and children can also find out more healthy eating tips and exercise tactics when they attend fitness camps. These summer weight loss camps can help them to foster healthful eating habits, learn new exercises and make new friends all at the same time. They can help to teach kids methods for weight loss that they can use for the rest of their lives. They may also help kids who were suffering from low self-worth to get out of their shells and meet new people.

Kids and teenagers do not have to spend the rest of their lives overweight, as long as they adopt healthful eating habits and make exercise a part of their daily lives.

Joe Busch specializes in writing articles related to healthy weight loss for kids. He focuses on proper diets, exercise, and weight loss camps. Parents with children that struggle with their weight should consider a weight loss camp for teens to jump start the process.

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5 Things Everyone Needs to Know About Helping Young People With ADHD

ByKate Horstmann

Sometimes it is hard to know where to start when supporting young people with complex needs, including those who have Attention Deficit Disorders. When my colleague Jo Steer, a Clinical Psychologist, and I sat down together to reflect on our years of working with young people, and their families and schools, we realized that all our 'success stories' had a few common themes. Those times when things worked best, we had dealt with the complexity by providing support from multiple directions. They were also the times when we took the 'onus' of making changes from the shoulders of young person and shared the responsibility for success between all of those on board - teachers, parents, professionals AND the young person.

The 5 'secret success' elements we identified will not surprise you, and in fact many people use these strategies every day. However we found that once we put them down in writing, they helped us to create a format for designing our support packages. When working with families and schools, we now make sure that we had at least one action point in each of these areas.

Understanding is the key: Providing support to young people is all about forming positive relationships, and relationships will struggle without understanding. It is important that adults learn about ADHD and also how it impacts on the young person as an individual.

Adapt the environment: ADD/ ADHD impacts on many areas of function, and often creates a very real disability for a young person. Changes to expectations and support need to be made in order to enable engagement, participation and learning. There are many effective ways to structure the environment and tasks in order to provide scaffolding and maximize performance.

Teach skills: Sometimes we get stuck dealing with problems and crises and overlook opportunities to teach skills that can make a real difference in day to day life. Skills can also enhance self-esteem and protect against the experiences of repeated 'failure' that are unfortunately all too common for kids with ADHD.

Make the young person an active partner: The direct involvement and participation of the young person is often what leads to real and sustained progress. This is particularly essential during the teenage years and ensures that individuals learn life-long skills in helping themselves.

Consider changes to the system: Strategies that work well for kids with ADD/ ADHD often work really well for all young people, and therefore implementing changes across the family, school or sports club is very likely to have benefits for all!

In upcoming Article I will share some more strategies as we look at each of these 5 areas in a little more detail.

Kate Horstmann is an occupational therapist working in the Evolve Behavior Support Team, Disability Services Queensland, Australia. She has over ten years' experience of working with children and adolescents with a range of difficulties including Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, autism and developmental disorders.

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Physical Fitness and Childhood Obesity - Tips for Getting Kids More Active

Ever since having kids, my shopping habits have completely changed. After discovering kid's consignment stores, that is the only place I shop for kid's clothes and shoes. I am also obsessed with consignment stores in general, as I have an addiction to designer labels at thrift store prices. It works for our family, since we are on a pretty tight budget.

It has been at least three or four years since I have been in a real department store in the kids clothing section. So I was a little shocked (and a little sad) by what I saw last week when I was in JC Penny's girls department.

I read all the articles about childhood obesity, and I see it every day at school and at after school activities, but walking by a 'Plus Size for Girls' section of the department store put it all in perspective.Clearly there is a market for clothes designed for overweight kids.

I understand that parenting is extremely tough, especially when it comes to food - my kids eat more than their fair share of crap. Here is what I don't understand. If a parent knows the pain, struggles, and frustration of being overweight, why would they ever allow their kids to endure the same agony?

We know that parents influence kids every day with words and actions, and when mom and dad regularly encourage kids to be active, they help kids to appreciate fitness and have fun along the way.

Teaching practical life skills is one of the many roles that parents have. Things like how to brush teeth, how to tell time, how to tie shoes, and to add one more to the list - how to be healthy and active.

It's never too late to start a healthy habit, especially with kids. Kids like to move, and though it is highly unlikely that a child goes from couch potato to Olympian, there are several ways parents can influence their children to exercise.

While verbal encouragement or logistical support, such as driving kids to soccer practice, is important, parents' attitudes about health and fitness and their own patterns of physical activity are equally as important, since kids often follow by example.

Being active together has shown to have a significant impact on how kids view exercise, but it often goes down as a child's age goes up. Younger children are more likely to want to spend time being active with their parents than teenagers, so there may be a window of opportunity to use it before losing it when it comes to co-activity.

And even though the sphere of influence on kids can be far and wide from friends to teachers to Sponge Bob, few are as direct and important as parents.

Children are well known for their contrary nature. Tell them to do something, and quite often they will do the opposite. So trying to force children to exercise may not be the best strategy.

Every parent has his or her way of approaching life lessons, but the idea with fitness is to get children to appreciate being active, and have a little fun along the way. "Because I said so" may work for putting the dishes away, but encouragement, celebrating small victories, and doing things together can be effective ways to motivate kids to get fit and stay active. And no child wants their brain to turn to mush because of too much television.

Whether is it sports, riding bikes, a martial arts class, or walking the dog every night, it is important to consistently present each opportunity in a positive way. It may take a bit of time and patience, but when children find the fun in being active, fitness can become a part of everyday life.

When kids are active at a young age, the habit can last throughout their lifetime, and influencing kids to be active at an early age is no different than teaching them the golden rule or respecting their elders. So it's time to put fitness right up there with teaching children how to ride a bike and that there's no hiding a piece of broccoli in a glass of milk.

I am a stay-at-home mom and "gym rat" certified in Fitness Nutrition. Health and fitness takes work, dedication, perspective and good information. I hope I can provide you with tips to work hard, inspiration to dedicate yourself to a fit lifestyle, a no nonsense perspective on fitness and weight loss, and reliable information so that you can become the best you.

As a mom, I always appreciate a great tip. Whether it is a shortcut on how to prepare a recipe faster, or a trick for putting on makeup, the right tip will make my day a little easier. Fitness and nutrition are no different.

Most people are short on time, so I want to give you tips and tools to get the most out of your fitness and nutrition in the best use of your time.

Healthier Choices, Happier You!
http://www.fitchicktricks.com

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Why Should If Care If My Child Is Fat, Overweight, Or Obese? What's The Difference?

BySue Bristol

How can we help our kids lose weight? Is it important that they slim down? Yes! It is vital that we "cut our kids down to size!" Extra calories are creating more than plump cheeks and chubby bodies. Unneeded calories are jeopardizing our children's health. Instead of worrying only about how to pay for college, add weight reduction as an important responsibility in the stewardship of your child's future.

Statistics show that overweight or obese children typically grow up to be overweight or obese adults or raise overweight or obese children who grow up to be...well, you get the idea. Part of the problem is certainly heredity. Our children may be born with an inner metabolism that predisposes them to weight issues. However, the eating habits they develop as children are often more to blame than their inherited tendency to be overweight.

Adults often don't know the basics of good nutrition which will lead to a lifetime of weight management. (This is why most adults are also overweight.) Many of us were raised by parents ("or parents who were raised by parents") who lived through the Great Depression of the 1930's. The memory of bread lines and inadequate food supply has haunted their memories and they have developed attitudes about making sure they, and their children, get enough to eat.

After World War II when goods and foods, and the money to buy them, became abundant for so many people, there was an understandable desire to "live the good life". Women went to work leaving little time for food preparation... and the ready-made-meals industry was born! It wasn't until high-tech medical tools for research were developed in the late 50's and 60's that scientists began to uncover the relationship between what we eat and our health. (Remember the "damn the egg" move of the 60's? The relationship between eggs and cholesterol became routine conversation.)

It took several decades, however, for over-consumption of fats, sugar, sodium, and calories to deliver the brunt of their effect. We became a nation of obese people with heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure. We are now in the "enlightenment" phase. We see the damage excess food habits and sedentary lifestyles have produced.

Start today to educate yourself and your children as to the problem (obesity is making us sick), and the solution (exercise and eating the right foods at the right times and in the right amounts). Our health as a family and as a nation depend on it!

Sue Bristol, R.N. says: "lose weight and lower your BMI"

Here's the "Secret Weight Loss Diet" that virtually EVERY successful dieter uses. (Whether or not they are even aware of it!)

Click Here to get your Free e-book, which will give you the "Weight Loss Secret" You don't need to be overweight: how to lose weight

There is One Correct Diet

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Causes of Childhood Obesity and How to Avoid Them

-One of the more prominent causes of childhood obesity is good old mom and dad.

Yes, it's true our children learn a good part of all their behavior and develop future habits from their parents, relatives and friends, especially when they are very young. Their eating habits are no different, in fact healthy eating habits or the lack thereof, more than any other behavior...starts at home.

-If you allow your children to dictate the rules, the results will not be good.

They certainly will not always do as you ask, but monkey see, monkey do. If fruits and vegetables and other healthy foods are a staple in the home, they'll pick up on it. That's not to say we need to eliminate all the goodies, we all need those from time to time. We just need the basic framework to be in place

Other Causes of Obesity

Unhealthy eating habits learned at a young age, while certainly a root cause of obesity for some kids, is not the sole cause for many others. Physical inactivity is also a large contributor in many children. Video games and obesity unfortunately can often go hand-in-hand.

With all the unbelievably realistic video games, movies, and constant new additions in electronic devices, it can be tough to get off the couch, for adults as well as for the kids.

How to Escape the Effects of Childhood Obesity

Well, number one of course is to set a good example. They learn from you, so do your best to show them the importance of physical activities, and how much fun they can be. Take the family biking, camping or hiking or even just a walk. Any number of fun physical activities should be a regular part of the family routine.

While it's true that many children are picky eaters, they learn from us what is healthy and what they should be eating. To avoid the causes of childhood obesity, the rules of healthy eating and the importance of a balanced healthy diet must start young, and the sooner the better.

If your child is overweight, let them know they are loved and appreciated no matter what. If they eat healthy and continue to be physically active, they'll grow up healthy and happy and the weight will usually stabilize. If not, it's all the more important our kids know that they have our acceptance and approval.

Where to Start?

-Again, show them how much fun being physically active can be, the key word being "fun". Children should get a minimum of 1 hour of physical activity each and every day. Shut off the computer and take them to the park or ball field if you have to!

-Limit television and computer time, it's really a must these days.

-Make sure to provide a balanced healthy diet for the family, and keep plenty of healthy snacks on hand so when they do get hungry, and you know they will, the right stuff is available and handy. A bowl of apples, oranges and believe it or not, even carrot sticks will disappear fast when young stomachs growl.

-Eat meals at home and as a family as often as you can, where you can guide their food choices to healthy ones.

-Don't allow foods or snacks of any kind when watching TV. If the kids need a snack, eat it in the kitchen, a habit that will serve them well in the future. Never use food as punishment for your child's bad behavior, or as a reward for good behavior, it sends the wrong message.

-Avoid all sugary drinks if possible, encourage water as the drink of choice. It will save their teeth, their waistlines, and your pocketbook...not to mention their health!

The habits that are formed by our kids as children, will follow them throughout their lives, try to make them healthy habits.

Remember that 70% of all overweight or obese adolescents will become overweight or obese adults!

http://www.health-stories.org deals with a wide range of health and fitness issues, from obesity and
a balanced diet for kids -to a simple, healthy eating plan we can all feel good about.

Association Between Childhood Obesity and Low Self Esteem

ByMary Slessor Limbe

a) Background

Obesity is excess accumulation of body fat. For children a body mass index greater than 95th percentile for age and gender is considered obese. Self-esteem is a term used in psychology to describe a person's overall sense of personal value or self-worth. It is derived from a Greek word meaning "reverence for self." The "self" part of self-esteem refers to the beliefs, attitudes we hold about ourselves, while "esteem" describes the personal worth and value we give ourselves. It is how we feel about the self, how much we value ourselves, the pride we feel in ourselves or our acceptance of ourselves for who and what we are at any given time in our lives. This is important, because how we feel about ourselves can affect how we act.

Self-esteem is an essential human need that is crucial not only for survival but also healthy development. Since it develops from an individual's beliefs and consciousness of oneself, self-esteem is closely linked with one's feelings, thoughts, actions and behaviours. The development of self-esteem is a life-long process, starting from very early in life. It can be positively or negatively influenced by different events and circumstances. Consequently, a person can have either a healthy (high) or a low self-esteem. A person with a healthy self-esteem has a happier outlook to life and is more self-confident than the one with low self-esteem.

What factors influence self-esteem?

A number of key factors are believed to have a significant influence on self-esteem. To begin with we all inherit different personality traits from our parents which determine how we interpret or react to events or circumstances. This in turn impacts on our self-esteem. One of the major factors affecting self-esteem is experiences in one's childhood. Children are significantly influenced from an early age by the care givers.. A child who receives praise and encouragement for their efforts develops a healthy self-esteem and is inspired to keep trying and take on more challenging tasks. If, on the other hand, these people are critical and judgmental this can lead to a child feeling inferior, worthless or rejected.

Other factors that can influence self-esteem are painful events or experiences like divorce, bereavement, serious illness or bullying. Body image, which is how someone feel about his or her own physical appearance, can also enhance or lower one's self-esteem.

b) What is the association between childhood obesity and low self-esteem?

Childhood obesity is known to be associated with a number of conditions, among them, low self-esteem. Low self-esteem can occur in children who are obese due to the following factors:

i) Bullying

Children who are obese can be bullied or become bullies themselves. Consequently they are isolated as it becomes difficult for them to make friends, they get excluded from social activities and feel unwanted.

ii) Poor body image

Body image can be closely linked to self-esteem, especially in early teen-age life. According to a study on childhood obesity and self-esteem by Richard Strauss published in Paediatrics, there was no significant difference in self-esteem scores between 9- and 10-year-olds who were obese or not obese. However by age 13 and 14 significantly lowered self-esteem was noted in some of the study children who were obese compared to their non-obese counterparts (Paediatrics 2000;105;e15). As children enter their teens they are more conscious of how they look and what others think and say about them. The manner in which being overweight or obese affects a child depends a lot on the child's parents, their perceptions and on the culture in which the child grows up. This is because some parents and cultures accept a wider range of weights than others. A child who is constantly teased about how fat they are soon develops the feeling that he or she is not good enough, is not appreciated or accepted. This teasing can take place at home as well as at school. Children may be subjected to negative comments and hurtful teasing about the way they look from siblings (especially boys), parents, classmates and peers. Such comments can affect one's body image and self-esteem. External factors, for example media images of skinny girls and bulked-up boys, can also adversely influence a child's body image and hence self-esteem. Girls have been found to be more dramatically affected by weight and perceived weight problems than boys.

Author: Mary Slessor Limbe MD
The author is a consultant paediatrician, whose subspecialty is paediatric endocrinologist. She has a keen interest in childhood obesity. For more articles on this topic, please visit the website below.

Website address: http://slessoronline.com
e-mail address: info

Simple Steps to Prevent Childhood Obesity

ByKC Wheeler

There are simple factors in every parent's control that can reduce the chance of childhood obesity. In society today, approximately one in five children will be labeled as obese. Obesity is defined as an excess amount of body fat, measured as a percentage of total body weight. A child is considered obese when their body weight is 20% higher than the average weight of children of the same age. It is imperative that parents realize how their choices impact the chances of their children developing obesity.

The main contributing factors to childhood obesity are lack of physical activity and high calorie intake, as well as the variety of foods consumed. The recent emphasis on technology as well as convenience, high calorie meals have had a detrimental effect on child health. Furthermore, one of the worst physical effects of childhood obesity is the susceptibility to diseases such as diabetes, high cholesterol, and early onset of heart disease.

Obesity has negative effects on emotional health as well. Society today labels those that are obese as lazy or unmotivated. These stigmas contribute to the increasing onset of depression, anxiety, and low self esteem in children. These factors then affect the social health of children as well, as there can be a lack in the development of relationships and acceptance from their peers.

In this technological age, it is easy for children to develop a lack of physical activity. Both computer usages as well as the increase in video gaming systems are the major technological factors in childhood obesity. It is easy for parents to use these as ways to keep their children busy. While there have been recent advancements in gaming that involve total body interaction, the comparison of these games to actual physical activity such as sports or dancing shows a minimal amount of calories burned. The largest impact that parents can have on these factors is managing the amount of time spent on all screens within the home, forcing children to find alternative methods of entertainment.

Parents do have control over several factors that contribute to obesity. The eating habits of children can be controlled, as parents need to resist the urge to provide the quick, convenience meals such as fast food and high-calorie, low nutritional snacks. A higher consumption of fresh fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and whole grains may reduce the risk of obesity in children. Parents should provide healthy beverages to their children as well, such as reduced sugar juices, skim milk, and water, as opposed to high sugar liquids such as carbonated soda pops and sugar-based beverage mixes.

Parents can also provide a variety of physical activities for youngsters. A creative mind can create unique activities that require participation and motion. Some examples of such activities are outdoor play, such as games like tag or hide and seeks, and indoor play such as fort-building, balloon play, or dancing to upbeat music.

A parents control over meal choices, activities, and daily routine may be the solution to the widespread childhood obesity seen within society today.

For more information and resources, please visit http://moms-probs-odds-and-jobs.blogspot.com/

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The Psychological Effects of Obesity and Bullying in Children

An obese child is more likely to be bullied than a normal weight child, declares Dr. Julie C. Lumeny, researcher in a 2004 study of boys and girls who fit the definition of obese, which is a category step heavier than the overweight category. She determined that it made no difference at all if an obese child was black, white or Hispanic, or male or female. Rich or poor, or A and B students alike are bullied if they are obese by 1.2 times more than normal weight kids.

We must try to have a basic understanding of what these young people have to bear in order to change this condition in homes and schools. Yes, some of the bullying comes from the home, as ignorance in parents and siblings persists.

As a result of just being obese, a child may feel depressed, anxious, socially isolated with low self-esteem and forced into functioning at a lower level. But, couple these disastrous conditions with intense emotions felt as a result of bullying of all kinds: bullying is for him/her a daily endurance of name-calling, teasing, ganging up, humiliation and ignoring. Victims without a doubt, they become perpetrators in order to defend themselves: this is one more layer of hardship for them as now they are not only offensive but defensive. They should feel safe and secure at home and in the school-yard, yet both can be battlegrounds. And sometimes, even the most dedicated of helping hands can be detrimental if they are showing, nationally, pictures of obese children with unflattering labels across their bodies.

It is not new information that overweight children are at risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and high blood pressure, high cholesterol, dyslipidemia and type 2 diabetes, compared with normal weight children. Also easy to believe is that an overweight child advances into adulthood carrying his obesity with him. A conclusion made by a Colorado State University Extension study is: Obesity beginning before 8 years old and continuing into adulthood may be more severe than in childhood.

There have been a good number of interventions mentioned in the literature that may change the picture for obese children's lives:

Address this issue at individual and community levels.Change the negative perception of obesity by peers. Future research should evaluate ways to modify these negative behaviors.Doctors should incorporate bullying history into their regular check-up history and physical.Doctors can open the conversation by asking the child if he has been bullied at home, school or on the playground, and then following up on the information he has attained from the childRegistered Nurses can put the bullying history of the child in his chart.Doctors, Health Care Personnel, Parents, Siblings, and Teachers can be empathetic with the obese child and cease reinforcing the bad feelings.

We are a nation of fat people. Can we not stop this trend of fatness by starting with the OB nurse in the Obstetrics Ward of the Hospital? Here is an opportunity for all of us to have knowledge of what happens to our young ones as they face the world, to help them instead of hindering them. I say the OB nurse should have it in her/his teaching routine for new mothers--right at the very beginning of the lives of our babies--the mothers should be taught, along with all the other useful and necessary subjects, how not to feed their child too much or too often, that a healthy child is not necessarily a fat child. They can be taught how a healthy new baby looks and acts and what the mothers can look forward to as a future for their babies if they do not take charge in their kitchens and households to produce wonderful normal weight teenagers who walk uprightly into adulthood.

This means that you, parents, are in charge, even though you allow your children to have their say. You do the shopping, you pay for it and you have the control over who eats what! If you have a preventive way of thinking, the bad stuff never occurs and you do not have to rehabilitate it. This is one thing you cannot grow into gradually: you have to be prepared to meet it before it takes over your life.

Margaret Heaps is a native born Californian who sees life as not long enough to fit everything in. She has grass roots in Petaluma, California and Nicasio, California, where her great grandfather bought land from gold that he mined in the Gold Rush of 1848 and created a high yield dairy farm. With this background legacy, she married and raised six boys, went back to school and became a registered nurse; this was her profession for many years. Now that she has retired, her energy level still high, she has undertaken to build and market a new website:
http://bloodcirculationhealth.com

Shop all day and all night on the internet. No hurry! We can serve you. Make the above URL work for you, and we will introduce you to a variety of physical fitness equipment at a reasonable price. See our exercise bicycles, wobble boards, punching bags for kids and adults, weight lifting iron, jumping ropes, Pilates, charts showing the muscles of the body, home gyms and much more.

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School Lunch Police?

We all want our kids to eat the best food for them. For some parents, it's the school lunch program. For others, it's a carefully planned lunch they make themselves. But it's always your choice.

Right?

Maybe not. Recently, in North Carolina, a four-year-old's lunch was taken from them (confiscated) by an adult from the school. Apparently, the turkey and cheese sandwich, potato chips, banana and apple juice box did not conform to the USDA guidelines for a healthy meal.

These guidelines require that a sack lunch from home must contain one serving of meat, one serving of milk, one serving of grain and two servings of either fruit or vegetables.

What did the girl eat instead? Processed chicken nuggets.

As a nutritionist, there are several problems I have with this. First, it is my opinion that if a child brings in a lunch, that's their property and no one can take that away. As parents, it is our right to feed our children the best foods possible.

Secondly, the guidelines take no consideration at all to the numerous health problems found in our schools. It also takes into no consideration the poor quality foods served in most schools.

School districts are allowed to serve greasy pepperoni as a meat. This product has very little quality protein and very high levels of unhealthy fat, salt and preservatives. This can lead to high cholesterol and high blood pressure when eaten often. It's not the only meat served during the week; hot dogs and hamburgers are not high on the health list either.

An excellent meat substitute is tofu, a vegetable based protein that takes on the flavor of what it is cooked with. It can be crumbled in a salad or made into seasoned cubes for finger food. Hummus is also a great vegetable protein made from flavorful chickpea. Dipping veggie sticks or 100% whole grain crackers tastes great.

The next guideline really distresses me. Milk is a low quality food, just barely above white sugar on the nutrition scale. It is a fast growing allergy and a potential cause and exasperator of ADHD. Most children do not digest milk properly, because most of us stop producing the lactase enzyme require to digest milk at about 4 years old. Add to that, the milk served in schools is 2% or skim milk. The healthy calcium and Vitamin D that makes raw milk healthy is destroyed and removed during the pasteurization and homogenization process. Vitamin D is a fat based vitamin and cannot exist in milk without the fat portion. Finally, a Harvard Medical study is now linking factory farmed milk, the stuff your kids are drinking, to hormone dependent cancer. The dangerously high estrone sulfate found in these milk products are linked to cancers of the breast, colon and lymph.

The serving of grain may injure children with gluten intolerance or Celiac's disease. As many as 1 in 33 children are thought to have Celiac's disease and 1 in 3 are gluten intolerant. Symptoms of these diseases are unexplained weight gain or loss, hyperactivity and digestive issues like gas, loose bowel and constipation.

Also, financially distressed schools may choose unhealthy and cheap processed white flour products for their grains rather than healthy 100% whole grains. White flour products are known to raise blood sugar and insulin levels, starting a cycle that leads to Type II Diabetes.

The chemical preservatives found in white flour products and hormone remnants and pesticide residues found in milk also interact with medications for ADHD, allergies and antibiotics. It can negate the medications entirely or make them more aggressive. Several studies have been conducted linking chemical residues to ADHD.

Two servings of fruits and vegetables are good, unless one starts to count a teaspoon of pizza sauce as a vegetable. And that is how the government gets away with serving greasy, pepperoni pizza on a white, sugary crust to your child and calls it complete nutrition.

Is it any wonder that our children cannot recognize what fruits and vegetables look like anymore? Or that over half are overweight? Or that ADHD is now the top problem our schools are facing?

The 'unhealthy' lunch that was taken away from the four-year-old was much healthier than the foods served in the cafeteria. I would improve that lunch with 100% whole grain bread, a cup of organic yogurt with fruit and skip the cheese.

Christina Major is the Naturopathic Doctor and Holistic Nutritionist of Crystal Holistic Health Consulting. Crystal Holistic Health helps people, especially women, who have Type II Diabetes, High Cholesterol and High Blood Pressure lower their numbers, get off medication and increase their energy so they can save money, take back control of their lives and improve the health and happiness of their families. You can get a free report on health at http://www.crystalholistichealth.com/!

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The Nutrition of Our Little Girls

Recently I had the privilege of interviewing revered metabolic guru - Dr. David Barker. The same Dr. Barker who presented to the medical world decades ago - the "Barker Theory" - now accepted as medical fact. The Barker theory explains how low birth weight children are at a greater risk of coronary heart disease. Dr. Barker's research is centered on the effects of a mother's nutritional status on the gestational development of the fetus - through later life.

Sensitivity to insulin is established in the developing fetus. Beta cells are the pancreatic cells that produce insulin. The nutritional status of the mother strongly influences the baby's own beta cell production. Women that are malnourished - which yes includes too thin & obese - their developing offspring do not produce enough beta cells to protect them metabolically throughout life. Thanks to Dr. Barker - we are realizing just how much of a baby's fetal exposure to malnutrition is a potential setup for diabetes, heart disease, stroke, asthma, osteoporosis, ADD, high blood pressure...many of our current chronic plagues.

Here is where we need to take this much more seriously. Yes, obviously prenatal health is important - stop smoking, stop drinking, take our prenatal vitamins, exercise, eat properly. However Dr. Barker's resounding research is showing us albeit important its just a tiny piece of the puzzle. Healthy embryonic development feeds on the mother's lifetime of nutritional history. We are not just what we eat - we are what our mother's ate as well. When we feed our little girls - we are determining the metabolic destiny of our grandchildren & yes our great grandchildren. Babies feed on the mother's lifetime of nutritional quality.

We often talk flippantly about we are genetically doomed for heart disease, cancer, diabetes - when in fact does that really make sense. Charles Darwin was a pretty smart guy - does it make sense a gene for heart disease is naturally selected - no of course not. It would not make us the survival of the fittest. However, what is very probable - is a compromised metabolic start during gestation.

Now let's put this research together with the disgraceful & nonsensical state of our children's health. The childhood obesity rates have tripled over the last 25 years. If it continues - over 70% of the adult population will be obese. Diabetes rates are growing exponentially. We now know factually how this will affect the health of the children of these obese kids. Focusing on prenatal health simply is not enough to protect the health of future generations. We have to be far more proactive with our children's health - not just for them but for the metabolic legacy being etched.

However, just thought I would mention this is not that proverbial "get out of jail for free card. We cannot blame of health status on our mother's - yes it can predispose us to a much tougher time fighting chronic illnesses - but we are not helpless. What it does mean is those of us at a metabolic disadvantage - yes we have to try harder & be more vigilant.

My wish for you today & every day - may you get at least 60 minutes of exercise!

Shira Litwack
Medical Fitness Professional, Lifestyle & Weight Management Coach, Fitness & Nutrition for chronic illness recovery,
Radio Talk Show Host/Producer bestinhealthradio - Listen to interview with Dr. Barker!
http://www.bestinhealthradio.com
http://www.fitfan4fun.com

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Childhood Obesity - An Overview of The Cause

I was eating lunch at my favorite restaurant and noticed a flyer on the wall discussing how to combat the problem of obesity in this country. The flyer was supposed to help motivate readers to find out how to change their diets for the better. The reality is most people are stuck in a place of comfort and change is very difficult. The real concern for our society is how obesity is effecting our youth. Children get less time to play outside with their classmates, have more games each year that motivate them to get on the computer and seem to be more driven by the latest technology. It is amazing to see the growing cases of diabetes among our youth. According to statistics from the American Diabetes Association, 1 in 400 children have a diagnosis of diabetes, which adds to a host of complications their young bodies have to deal with if the disease is not managed properly. Many more go undiagnosed, which is even more frightening. The question is how did we get this way and what will we do to change it? It is really important to pay attention to diet and exercise to help combat and prevent this disease. Simple sugars are high on the typical American diet and cause sugar spikes in our bloodstream. I can honestly say I remember eating two doughnuts, a cup of orange juice and feeling the shakes. Those rev ups followed by a sluggish crash was what people used to call a sugar rush. Trust me when I say I don't do that anymore.

I am so glad so many larger cities have community centers and youth programs. Most of my friends have youngsters very involved with softball, football, basketball, Irish dancing and other neat activities but is it enough? I would dare say no and why, you ask? Simply if the youngster is eating poorly, even if they are getting one to two days of exercise, it will not satisfy the body's need to burn off the junk and does not even begin to answer the issue of poor "body fuel". We truly are what we eat and our body cannot do much with a burger and fries dinner... ever notice how hungry you get an hour later? There is a reason. I had someone once tell me if it is mushy in your mouth, it is dead. They body needs enzymes and other live food items for fuel. The next time you pull up to the gas station to get gas, think about your body and give it a little high octane.

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No Child Is Born To Be Fat

You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink. How much more stubborn are humans than horses? Natural selection has kept the balance in every area except humanity. Survival of the fittest, that is nature's way. There is no weak link allowed in nature, disease kills the weak, and makes any survivors that much stronger or resistant. Humans once endured the same hardships as every other life form does in nature. Humans however, developed systems to avoid 'natural' selection. In doing so, they also allowed the regeneration of weak DNA, resulting in chronic health issues passed from one generation to the next. Life is now sustained regardless of physical condition. To complicate the situation further, they have added excessive creature comforts, and the masses have taken full advantage.

For reasons that I have my own opinions of, the medical community has educated the masses that heredity is to blame, and to a degree it is. The actual truth, is the diet of the parents and what they are feeding the children is the 'heritage' that is being passed along. Over feeding, or poorly feeding anything, does not make for a healthy life. Human, animal or plant. It has been proven over and over. Education is not working, you can find the information everywhere and most of it is free. I teach classes and my classroom is empty. I've heard all the excuses.

A human child's body needs specialized calories (energy), it needs specialized nutrients, (a variety of foods, not just starches and sugars). It needs water, not soda, not powdered mixes, and not 'juice drinks'. It needs to run and play in the outdoors. They need to get dirty, they need to get scraped and scratched (to build the immune system). The highly marketed 'fear' of germs 'campaign' that has saturated the airwaves for decades, and the unnecessary food products consumed (also marketed for generations), have parents believing a sterile environment is good for kids. At the same time, they think they can 'grow' a healthy body with artificial food and a vitamin pill.

Everything involving childhood obesity is connected to overfeeding or poorly feeding and a lack of activity, especially the outdoor kind. A healthy, muscular, body requires the 'nutrients' to build one. A healthy body starts with the immune system, (white blood cells that locate and destroy anything abnormal) nothing to fight

Children's Health - Giving Your Kids Healthy Food

Childhood obesity is a worldwide problem and no child is safe if they don't have healthy eating habits. There are many causes of obesity in children. Some of these are fast foods which are high in calories and fat. They also contain dangerous trans (fake fats) that wreak havoc on a young child's body. Another cause is processed foods. These false foods are loaded with sugar and artificial colors, flavors and preservatives which add up to extra calories. Because of the added processed sugars, a child can consume a tremendous amount of sugar and not even feel that full.

Many of these artificial colors, flavors and preservatives may also cause cancer. A lack of exercise has a direct link to obesity. Being a couch potato is not just bad for adults. A lack of exercise causes a lack of blood flow and circulation. This leads to sedentary kids who have lack of tone in muscles and obesity. The last way a child can become obese is just old fashion over eating which is easy to do when the food is fake as in processed foods.

So what's the answer? Well it's really simple. Have your child eat only natural foods. If it is a natural food such as an apple, banana or orange its ok to eat. The natural foods contain all the nutrients your child's body needs with the added fiber to help with digestion. The problem again is with processed or fast foods. These foods can be eaten in large quantities without feeling full. Food scientists develop these foods with one goal in mind, profits. They use the cheapest ingredients to keep the food products together and to last a long time (shelf life).

Their employers praise them for their accomplishments and cost cutting methods. But, they nor the scientists have no consideration nor do they even know what the consequences will be when children eat the laboratory food they invented. This comes down to one thing money. The easiest way to get your children to exercise is to play sports. When a kid is playing sports they are having fun, toning muscles and increasing circulation and burning calories. When kids are playing sports they don't even think about the good they are doing for their body they are just having fun naturally. There are many sports to choose from but the best advice is to let your child choose for themselves. That was they will be more interested and motivated to stick with it.

Jay Holt is a graduate from the University of Florida's nutrition college. Jay is a health and fitness advocate and has combined his literary aspirations with his love of nutrition.

His ability to see the world through a child's eyes is unequaled. His new book "Tommy the Tommy the Tomato Teaches Nutrition" is highly recommended by parents and educators everywhere (and kid-approved).

For more information about the book and FREE Healthy Eating Tips for your children Go To

http://www.tommythetomato.com

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How to Improve Your Child's Eating Habits - Fast Food Is the Fast Track to Obesity

Anywhere you go it is hard to not see someone who is obese. But now it is also common to see obese children. Blame for this can be placed in many different areas. Parents who are not good role models are partly to blame. TV advertisements by large food companies who prey on children with their overly laden sugar and chemically processed foods are partly to blame. It could be argued that school lunches are not the healthiest and it is also partly to blame. Although the above are partly to blame, who is mainly to blame? Many claim the culprit is fast food. McDonald's and Burger King. Fast food is loaded with saturated and trans fats, salt and calories. When children fill up on fast food there is no room for healthy foods like fruits and vegetables.

The problem with fast food is that it tastes good and has a high satiety level because of the high fat amounts in the food. McDonald's in particular even had class action lawsuits against them. After that they changed their menu a little bit including healthier options. The fact remains people do not go to McDonald's for apple slices, they want the high fat, salty and high calorie food. Just as there is addiction to drugs there is food addiction. Fast food restaurants use all the addictive ingredients in their food.They use high amounts of fats, high amounts of salt, and who could forget the fries loaded with more unhealthy fats. It's addicting. Anyone who says otherwise is not being truthful with themselves. Children love McDonald's, is the truth and parents have to find another answer to this. Parents also should try to not rely on the convenience factor also.

More and more single mothers are raising children by themselves. After a long days at work the last thing on their mind is cooking a big meal for their family. The way to wean your children off McDonald's is by planning ahead. Try to plan ahead the children's lunches for the week. Then when the school week starts and the stress hits the roof you will be prepared and better able to make intelligent well thought out decisions. The same should be done with weekly dinners at home. Both school lunches and dinners at home can be pre-made and put in containers and stored in the freezer for use later in the week.

Jay Holt is a graduate from the University of Florida's nutrition college. Jay is a health and fitness advocate and has combined his literary aspirations with his love of nutrition.

His ability to see the world through a child's eyes is unequaled. His new book "Tommy the Tommy the Tomato Teaches Nutrition" is highly recommended by parents and educators everywhere (and kid-approved).

For more information about the book and FREE Healthy Eating Tips for your children Go To

http://www.tommythetomato.com

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Diet Strategies to Combat Childhood Obesity

All children need to gain weight as they grow older, but gaining extra pounds - more than what's needed to support their growth and development can lead to childhood obesity. Childhood obesity is a serious medical condition that occurs when a child is at least 20% well above the normal weight for his or her age and height.

The health risk of obesity in children tends to only increase with age and usually gets carried into adulthood. While the short term implications include the child suffering from depression, low self esteem and at times, even social isolation; the long term consequences anticipated are hormonal disturbances, increased risk to lifestyle disorders like hypertension and diabetes and premature ageing. In adults, the tool used to assess one's weight status is the body mass index, or BMI. However, BMI alone is not an appropriate measure for children. A child's BMI percentile chart has to be used alongside charts that take into account the child's rate of growth, sex and age - and is best interpreted with the help of your physician or a qualified dietician.

The Diet strategy to combat Childhood obesity-

Childhood obesity needs a multi-disciplinary approach.

- One of the best strategies to combat excess weight in the child is by improving the diet and exercise levels of the entire family and not only the child's.

- Another important aspect which must be kept in mind while working out a healthy regime for children is not to blindly restrict calories in a child's diet, as this could adversely affect the child's growth and development and also be psychologically stressful. Instead, it would be advisable if we could just focus on balanced diets, healthy eating habits, and active lifestyle patterns, with moderate caloric restriction(by cutting down on the unhealthy fat intake) without depriving them of nutrients.

- Breakfast forms an integral part of the battle against childhood obesity. However, this is one meal which gets overlooked owing to time constraints and the child's tendency to skip eating anything while running to catch the bus. Insistence from parents to ensure that the child does not leave empty stomach helps. An ideal breakfast must have a good source of carbs and protein and can typically be worked around a glass of milk with cereals of their choice, cheese sandwich, boiled eggs and fruit juice or chicken fajitas.

- Gradually adopt a diet that should contain 50-60% of calories from complex carbohydrates (whole grains, fruits and vegetables), 20-30 % from lean proteins( whole pulses, egg whites and fish) and not contain anything more than 20% of calories from healthy fats( nuts). By doing so we would be able to reduce at least 200 - 300 cal/day and thereby will be able to effectively reduce 1.5 to 2kg per month (approximately) - a gradual and healthy rate of weight loss.

- Restrictions on simple sugars (cakes, cookies and candies), fried snacks, junk foods, aerated soft drinks and red meats to once in a fortnight is essential.

- Try sneaking in vegetables and fruits through soups, juices, shakes, dips and salads.

- Getting adequate amounts of calcium is important. Calcium can be added in a child's diet as milk and milk products, dark leafy vegetables, legumes like chick peas, nuts(almonds),soybean,sesame seeds (til laddoos) and whole grains (millets).

- Drinking 10-12 glasses of water, watery soups and vegetable broths and fruit juices (prefer whole fruits over fruit juices) helps. These juices not only supply the child with antioxidants, vital nutrients and fiber, but also provide satiety, and thus help in controlling compulsive overeating.

- Encourage physical activity in the form of active group games and games which can be played life-long e.g. Tennis, basket ball or swimming.

- Regulated television viewing, computer/video games (not more than 30 minutes to an hour per day) can go a long way in promoting good health.

- As parents, we should encourage them to eat properly at meal times so that they don't feel hungry in between meals and gravitate towards fast foods. Children are good learners, and they learn best by example.

- Keep introducing the healthy foods (read fruits, eggs, milk, dates, almonds, curd, carrot) in one form or other, irrespective of knowing that the effort might get rejected by your fussy junior.

Our little ones are enthusiastic learners and are sure to learn best by eating with the family and watching elders eat their cereals, fruits and vegetables or finishing off the salad plates. Try to get even yourself involved in regular physical activity and make meal time, fun filled family times (not power game or battlefields) and the pleasure of being the parent of a healthy, confident child would be yours.

Read Dr Panchali Moitra's articles at http://www.dietquery.wordpress.com
Visit http://www.panchalimoitra.com

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Essential Tips For the Struggling Mom With an Obese Child

ByS. Mary Albritton

Obesity in children seems to be everywhere in the news these days. Some people want to blame the parents, others the child and still others blame outside forces like advertisers and the schools. If you and your child are struggling with an obesity issue, you really don't need to hear all that negativity, because you already know how serious the problem is. You need constructive help to get you going in a better direction.

First of all take a breath, hug your child, and realize that you CAN do this together. I'm not going to repeat all the negative health issues related to obesity and just assume you've heard it and want to move on to what to do about it.

If you remember nothing else from this article, remember this: knowledge is power. You have the ability to help your child by educating yourself. Two areas to begin with are household awareness and reading labels. Understanding these two will start you on your way to making better decisions and put the power into your hands.

What I mean by household awareness is simply writing down notes on the food buying and eating habits of your household. Keeping written notes for just one week will give you plenty of information to work with.

Who eats what for breakfast?

Does everyone eat breakfast?

Is there snacking between breakfast and lunch?

If so, what was eaten?

What beverages do you and the family drink?

What is eaten at lunch? Does snacking continue through the day?

What are the snacks? What is eaten for supper?

Is there dessert? How often and how much?

What snacks are eaten between supper and bedtime?

How many sodas are consumed throughout the day?

Once you see for yourself what is being consumed, you can come up with substitutions: oranges instead of cookies, baked apples with cinnamon instead of pie. It will take an effort, but you'll know what you're up against.

When grocery shopping how much of your purchase is for snacks? Go through your receipt and circle the food items not included in a meal. No one is going to judge your list but you. You don't have to show it or even tell anyone. The whole point is for you to become aware of what you and your child are actually eating.

The next important step in educating yourself is reading labels. This is another awareness exercise. You can't eliminate bad foods from your diet unless you know which ones they are. And the only way to do that is to read the labels. A simple rule to start with is look for sugar in the list of ingredients on packages. If it is one of the first 4 ingredients, leave it in the store. Another is if it contains high fructose corn syrup at all, leave it in the store. These are just two simple rules to start with. As you learn more about quality nutrition, you'll add more of your own. It's best to start slowly and build rather than being overwhelmed from the start.

Learning about nutrition can be very involved, but you need to start someplace. These are just a few tips to get you started. My hope is that it will help you to feel like you have control of something in your life. Tune out the naysayers and blamers and just do what you've got to do. As you learn more, you'll pass that on to your child, who in turn will learn how to make healthy choices. And isn't that what all moms want?

For help with healthy menu planning for kids go to http://www.letsgetkidshealthy.com

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