The answer probably lies in several factors: 1) because families today are on the go we tend to eat too many convenience foods and fast foods. We may be loosing out on variety; 2) children pick up on all the media hype for junk foods and as parents we often give in rather than sticking to what we know is right; 3) most children do not get enough exercise because they spend too much time watching TV and using computers; 4) unless you are a nutritionist you probably are not aware of exactly what a "serving size" consists of. It's quite a bit smaller than most of us would think. Consequently, we are overloading our plates and our children's plates.
So what's the problem? Children will "outgrow" their extra weight. Unlike what parents were led to believe for many years - that young children are "blank slates" waiting to be used - they actually come into this world having already absorbed things from their environment - limited as it was. Their brains are rapidly picking up and sorting information. Children learn and absorb unbelievable amounts of information in their first five years of life. This includes life-long habits.
Perhaps some children will outgrow the extra weight, but others will have to battle weight gain and, consequently, ridicule from peers all of their lives. Even children who lose the weight will have more tendency in adult years to put it back on. Unfortunately, statistics show that it is unlikely that children will lose the extra weight. This extra weight will increase the risk of severe health problems in adulthood. Problems such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes. In fact, William Dietz, M. D., director of the division of nutrition and physical activity for the Center for Disease Control, cautions that overweight children may already be at risk for heart disease and suggests that physicians test their young patients for cholesterol, diabetes or pre-diabetic conditions.
What can parents and caregivers do? Children will have to eat what you provide. Stock your refrigerator full of raw veggies and fruit, cold water, low-fat milk etc. If you go ahead and cut up carrots and celery, make spears with your cucumbers, and slice up green pepper, the kids will devour them in no time. Fruit works the same way, especially melons - cut them up into bite size pieces and they disappear before your very eyes. Children model their parents behavior. Find something that you enjoy doing for exercise and do it. The kids will be more willing to partake in activities if they see their parents doing something as well. Even better, maybe you can find something you enjoy doing together.
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