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Making Fitness a Family Issue
Setting You and Your Children on the Path to Health
By Virginia Gilbert
Unless a child is severely obese, Dr. Greene advises to avoid cutting calories. Dr. Greene says kids need to get vital nutrients because their brains and organ systems are still developing. The goal for most children is to maintain weight and grow into their size. If they're still heavy when they reach their full height, a weight reduction plan might be necessary.
"Probably the most effective thing a parent can do is cut down on the hours kids spend in front of the TV or the computer," Dr. Greene says, lamenting the fact that children today are more sedentary than in any other time in history.
Dr. Greene urges parents to create opportunities for physical activity that kids will enjoy. He shuns the term "exercise" because – to him – it sounds like work. Instead, he advises his patients to get 30 minutes of "active play" every day, preferably outside. "Go to the park, climb, throw the dog a ball, take walks by a creek," he says. "Kids will figure out what they like once they get outside."
Instead of putting your child on a fad diet or even decreasing fatty foods, focus on incorporating healthy foods into meal times. Dr. Greene recommends adding fiber-rich foods such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
But watch out for fast-food choices, such as french fries and chicken nuggets, which have high levels of fat and little nutritive value.
