| When it comes to childhood obesity, I'm not on the | | | | Packing a lunch may not be a bad idea either. Take |
| "blame-game-train." Looking for someone to blame is a | | | | the kids to the store and let them pick out the healthy |
| cop-out. Instead, I vote we take responsibility and fix | | | | options they want. There are a lot of single serving |
| the problem. How? That's the problem and it's where | | | | salad, fruit and vegetable items in the produce aisle |
| we all come in, as parents, as educators and as a | | | | which can replace chips and cookies. Low fat/low |
| society. | | | | sodium deli meats are also often available at the deli of |
| The job of a parent is to nurture, raise, teach and guide | | | | the local supermarket. |
| our children. No one should take that away from us, | | | | Lead by Example: You knew there had to be a catch, |
| but it is a hefty responsibility. While the schools and | | | | right? Yep, it's us. Our children will do about 80% of |
| others in the community play a role, we as parents are | | | | what we do right and usually 100% of what we do |
| the ones ultimately responsible for teaching our children | | | | wrong. Want them to exercise...go play with them, go |
| to make the right choices. It's not going to be easy, but | | | | for a walk, go jogging. It will let them know that this is a |
| here are a few steps that may help. | | | | lifetime thing, not just what kids have to do. |
| Set Limits: While they complain about them, most | | | | Do the same thing with food. Eat healthier stuff and be |
| children want limits they can depend on. This applies to | | | | willing to pack a sack lunch. To be honest, you can |
| many aspects of their lives. Limits should be set on the | | | | make a really tasty lunch with good nutrition for a lot |
| length of time the computer is used, the PlayStations | | | | less than some of those "value meals" at the fast |
| (etc.) are used and even how much they can use their | | | | food places. |
| cell phones to text their friends. | | | | Talk to the Schools: There is a debate about whether |
| Instead of these "mouse potato" activities, they need | | | | or not the schools should be blamed for childhood |
| to play. Maybe the can join a team or be on the pep | | | | obesity. As I've said before, that doesn't wash with me. |
| squad/cheer leading team. Maybe there are a bunch | | | | However, they do have some responsibility. Perhaps |
| of kids in the neighborhood that can get together for a | | | | they need reminded. Don't just read the lunch menu in |
| game of basketball or baseball at the park. Look into | | | | the paper, go and eat one of them. Preferably on |
| ways to get them physically active. | | | | pizza day. If you don't want your child eating what's |
| Food: Did you know that fast food companies like to | | | | being served do something about it. |
| put their facilities near schools? They know they'll | | | | There are a lot of reasons schools choose the foods |
| make a lot of money from the kids. We, as parents, | | | | they do, and while I don't agree with their logic I can |
| shouldn't blame these companies. What we should do | | | | see the point. When healthy foods are provided, those |
| is educate the kids to make good choices with their | | | | foods end up in the trash. The kids won't eat the apple |
| food. | | | | or green beans or the salad. Rather than watch hard |
| There are a lot of ways of doing this. If there are fast | | | | earned tax dollars head out to the garbage dump, they |
| food places near the school, help the child choose | | | | provide what the kids want. |
| healthy things off the menu. You can find the nutrition | | | | It's time we all stepped up to the plate for our children. |
| information on-line very easily, and these companies | | | | They deserve our best efforts and not a pile of |
| are beginning to hear our cries for better, healthier | | | | excuses and a blame game. |
| food. | | | | |