Tuesday, August 26, 2008

CHUBBY KIDS: here’s how to help them lose weight


From TODAY, Voices
Monday August 25, 2008

By Dr Bill Maier

It’s one thing to see your husband develop a spare tyre around the middle, but what do you do when your kindergartener is getting flabby?

An increasing number of children are considered overweight, yet we’re told by experts it’s not wise to put children on a diet.

So, what’s a parent to do? The key is to change your child’s lifestyle.

Start by putting the right kind of food on the table. Serve whole grains, lean meat, fish and poultry and plenty of fruits and vegetables.

Send them to school with a packed lunch instead of giving them free rein in the cafeteria line.

Then, after school, instead of letting them veg out in front of the television, send them outside to play. Keep frisbees and soccer balls by the front door and encourage your children to run to their hearts’ content.

Helping kids shave a few inches off the middle isn’t that hard. And they may be developing habits that will last a lifetime.

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