Health Watch is a Public Service of the Office of News and Publications and is intended to provide general information only and should not replace the advice of a medical professional. You should contact your physician if you have questions about any of these topics.
This week on "Healthwatch," we're talking about overweight children. If your child is overweight, you can help them get back on track by analyzing their diet and exercise habits. Then, nutrition experts at UT Southwestern Medical Center suggest making changes gradually instead of drastically, especially for growing children.
Try to establish defined meal times. That may be hard to do if your schedule is busy or often changes. But planned meals with a variety of nutritious foods make it easier to keep track of what your child is eating. Also, try reducing portion sizes instead of just eliminating foods from your child's diet. This can help them feel less deprived.
It's also important to establish exercise habits at an early age. Find an activity the family can enjoy together, and replace TV time with active time.
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Jan. 2005
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