How can i prevent childhood obesity

Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Provide nutritious foods. Watch portion size. Get them up. Keep them moving. Get creative. Remove temptations. Limit fats and sweets. Turn off TV while eating.

Teach healthy habits. HealthAhead Hint: Focus on Health. Parenthood Life. Written by the Healthline Editorial Team on June 19, Read this next.

Medically reviewed by Karen Gill, M. Medically reviewed by Timothy J. Legg, Ph. Postgame Snacks Can Have More Calories Than Kids Burn Playing Sports Snacks that are being offered to kids after sports activities are often higher in calories and sugar than what they burn during the game. Late Bedtime Linked to Obesity in Children.

If kids are hungry between meals, offer a fruit or veggie instead of ice cream or chips. Ants on a log celery with peanut butter and raisins and Greek yogurt with berries are yummy alternatives. It's OK to have a Twinkie or snack-size bag of chips.

These foods are delicious, but also should be consumed in the sm. These foods are delicious, but also should be consumed in the smallest serving size. It's important for children to get up and move around, as it benefits both their physical and mental health. When you exercise, your brain releases chemicals called endorphins, which can help improve your mood. With all the new gadgets and gizmos available, it's easy to sit for hours on end and stare at a screen.

Set a time limit of 30 to 60 minutes for the day, and encourage your kids to get outside or play with other toys. Below, learn how to calculate your child's risk for being overweight or obese, and the health risks it poses.

Body mass index BMI is a measure of body fat based on weight in relation to height. In children, BMI percentile is the best measurement of body fat. Children with a BMI in the 85 th percentile and above are at risk for being overweight or obese. Find a Pediatrician Near You. Pre-packaged snacks make your life easier!

And grocery stores are stocked with grab-and-go options for kids of all ages. Sugar is particularly problematic for children , contributing to childhood obesity, a weakened immune system and future disease. The best way to eat sugar — and nutrition — is through real, whole foods.

Think apples instead of apple juice. Create your own convenient options by pre-making healthy snacks like trail mix, raisins, unsweetened cereals and fruit or veggie samplers. Exercise is the other core component of a healthy lifestyle. Kids need at least an hour of physical activity every single day to help balance out their calorie consumption. Exercise has benefits beyond weight management, decreasing blood pressure, strengthening bones and improving mental health.

Between after-school activities, mealtime, homework and bedtime, it can feel like there is no room for anything else. And you might think your kids are getting plenty of physical activity at school during recess or P. But children need to be active at home as well to avoid too much sedentary time. In those times where everyone settles in with a screen, instead schedule some exercise or a fun family activity that gets everybody up and moving, like a walk, bike ride or game of tag in the yard.

Screen time is sedentary time. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation , children spend more than seven hours a day entertaining themselves with screens. Follow the American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines on screen time: None through infancy, less than an hour until kindergarten and no more than two hours in the school-age years.

Sleep is another factor in childhood obesity. A lack of sleep leads to daytime drowsiness that makes kids less active. It can disrupt the hormones that control appetite, making them feel hungrier and eat more in the waking hours. Make sure your screen time limits have restrictions close to bedtime to help your kids get better rest. Set their bedtimes early enough to ensure that they get the right amount of sleep for their age:.