In the last 25 years, childhood obesity in Canada has almost tripled. Presently, approximately 26% of children between the ages of two and seventeen are deemed to be obese or overweight.
Here are some tips on how to get your children to a healthy weight, without having to put them on a diet:

1.) Don’t purchase sugary drinks –Studies done that have shown that there is a link between the consumption of sugary beverages and the increase in body weight of children, adolescents, and adults. Energy drinks, sodas, and some juices are full of sugar and have little to no nutritional benefits. Reducing or even completely eliminating sugary beverages from your child’s diet can have a great improvement for your child’s health. Water is the best source of hydration.

2.) Ensure that they get enough sleep – Terrible sleeping habits can cause children to become hungry. Studies have shown that there is a significant relationship between sleep deprivation and excess weight gain in kids, adolescents and adults. Not getting enough sleep causes overeating because it increases the production of the hormone – grehlin which makes us feel hungry. Lack of sleep also decreases the production of the hormone – leptin that makes us feel full. Children should aim to get nine hours of sleep a night to ensure that they get enough sleep.

3.) Reduce the time your child spends in front of a screen – Studies have shown that there is a link between the amount of time a child spends in front of a TV or computer and the possibility of them being obese or overweight. In the last 30 years, the amount of time children spend in front of a screen has increased dramatically. More and more children are watching more TV and at even younger ages. Children under the age of two should have zero screen time and children between the ages of two to five should only have an hour of screen time. Set firm time limits on TV and other gadgets with screens.

4.) Encourage them to be active – Children do not have to do formal exercise to be considered active. For children, being active is as simple as moving their bodies around for at least 60 minutes a day. They can play Lego in the house, or you can go to the park with them after school. Make being active fun for them!

5.) Ensure they are emotionally healthy – Children should be happy and have a sense of developing self worth. Encourage things that help to promote self-esteem. Help your children find out what they are good at and encourage them to do those things more often.

Obesity is a health concern that is growing among Canadians of all ages. These tips are small changes that can help your children maintain a healthy weight for the long term.

Tag(s): Nutribar

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While it may seem kind of obvious to mix good nutrition with exercise, a lot of parents struggle to find the time. Indiana’s Purdue University is undertaking a study to build nutrition programs for children. 

Here is an excerpt from the full story: 

Purdue University will help develop nutrition programs in two Indiana communities as part of a $4.5 million U.S. Department of Agriculture grant to study obesity in preschool-age children of low-income rural families in seven North-Central states.

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As every parent knows, raising a child is no small feat. There’s eating healthy during pregnancy, and then the real fun starts when they are born. Keeping babies healthy is a full-time job – and according to a recent article in the National Post, good oral hygiene habits starts even before they cut their first tooth.

Check out this excerpt:

“Studies now show that, although you are not born with the bacteria associated with cavities, you acquire those bacteria prior to getting teeth. Once you have a basic culture of the bacteria in your mouth, you can set the pattern of getting cavities. The balance against that is appropriate oral hygiene — wiping gums and brushing teeth really early.”

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Looks like Canadian nutritional experts have saved the day again. Specifically, we’re talking about child nutrition. Exchange Magazine brings us this juicy bit of information: 

A University of Guelph-led research project to develop a screening tool for preschoolers at nutritional risk has received accolades from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. [...] NutriSTEP (Nutrition Screening Tool for Every Preschooler) was the first of its kind in Canada. Ten years in the making, it focuses on children aged three to five and is administered by parents. The tool consists of a 17-question checklist on topics including growth, eating and drinking habits, and activity levels, as well as related toolkits and training materials. 

This is a great step forward. Everyone knows that good eating generally leads to good health. A lot of us spend so much of our time in pursuit of the healthy life – at the gym, in the kitchen. A lot of us had to unlearn the unhealthy habits that we’d acquired during our life. But to nip bad habits in the bud? That’s something we can all relate to.

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In something that is sure to spark debate and criticism [among other things], primary schools in England are banning treats for kids. Yes, you read that right. You can read the full ‘Nurseries ban children from having birthday cake‘ article, but here’s a sampling…

“The “Pre-School Nutrition Project”, which was set up by Knowsley Borough Council and Chester University, sets out strict rules for nurseries which critics claimed risk “spoiling childhood”. Sweets and cakes brought in for children’s birthdays cannot be eaten in the nursery, but must be handed to parents at the end of the day.”

What do you think? Is the world getting carried away regarding the health of our children? Or should kids be taught healthy habits while they’re young, ensuring a healthy lifestyle trend? Hopefully we’ll know soon enough. The article finishes by saying that the the project will be evaluated by researchers at Chester University, who was partly responsible for setting it up. Apparently, a final report will be delivered May 28 to council chiefs.

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Teaching kids healthy eating habits should start young. The most important years of a child’s life are the foundations for their future. However, many parents say that their kids can be difficult to feed.

While most children are fussy, it’s important to remember that you are the parent. Your kids might like unhealthy foods like fast food, pop and other junk food, but who supplies it? It’s important to remember that good food can be good fun. Get creative at meal times. No one’s asking you to go crazy with vegetable sculptures, but most kids are happy with the simple things, like their own personal dipping sauce. Another suggestion is to arrange shapes on the plate, like happy faces made out of carrots, for example.

Also, try cooking with your kids. They obviously can’t haul pots of boiling water, or be left unsupervised at the stove, but involve them in the meal time process. Let them help with shopping, or plan dinner together.

It’s got a great effect on parents too, with many parents reporting that since they’ve got little eyes watching them [literally], they are inspired to eat healthier.

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So. You’ve turned over a new leaf in your life. You’re eating healthy, and using some meal replacement products, like Nutribar’s bars, powders and shakes. What about the health of the rest of your family? Kids can sometimes be fussy eaters, and thinking of menus can be a hassle when your 2-year-old only wants blue foods.

Wondering what some great foods are for kids? Here’s a list of suggestions:

• Apples
• Yogurt
• Tuna fish
• Eggs

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