Parents can make a big difference to the weight of their children

Parents with children who have issues with obesity find that the Christmas period is a trying time to keep their children’s weight in check. It is so difficult to deprive them of sweets and chocolates as well as almost constant snacking which is so much a part of Christmas. A United Kingdom government campaign however has warned that if parents overindulge their children they could be ‘killing them with kindness’. The campaign which is using graphic images of children suffering from obesity related illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes and cancer will be promoted around National Health Service hospitals.

The Department of Health said that the level of ignorance and complacency surrounding childhood obesity was shocking and it was essential that parents were educated and made to undertake responsibility for the wellbeing of their children. It is estimated that around 3 million families in the United Kingdom who have young children are not feeding them correctly and thus setting themselves up for future health problems.

The problem of overweight children is an extremely emotional one and parents often are very hurt and upset when doctors blame them for the weight of their children. Some parents find it extremely difficult to monitor their children’s eating habits without becoming extremely unpopular. It can be very trying for parents to constantly have to put up with the nagging of their children who want to eat unhealthy food.

Parents however can make a big difference to the weight of their children by firstly setting a good example and eating healthily themselves, educating their kids about the importance of eating fruit, vegetables and other healthy food stuffs and thirdly by leading the way in getting regular exercise.

It is obviously extremely difficult for overweight and obese parents to preach to their children about eating habits and if so you are serious about getting your children healthy maybe you should start with yourself first.