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 Health Watch, we’re talking about childhood obesity. Previously, we discussed the importance of starting healthy eating habits during infancy. That kind of training continues during childhood.
Cindy Cunningham, a nutritionist at UT Southwestern Medical Center, offers these tips: Keep food portions small and let the child get seconds if he’s still hungry. Keep your kitchen stocked with healthy snack items, such as fresh fruits and vegetables. It may take several tries before a child is willing to accept a new food, so don’t give up on offering nutritious foods. Look for low-calorie substitutions when cooking, such as low-fat cheese and non-fat milk. In addition to teaching good eating habits, you should also encourage youngsters to have an active lifestyle with plenty of physical activity.
Next: Losing weight.
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April 2007
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