Preventing child obesity through healthy habits
Canada is facing epidemic of overweight and obesity. Childhood obesity has been rising steadily in Canada in recent years as evidenced by increment from 15 to 26 percent of prevalence of overweight and obesity among children age 2-17 years in between 1978/79 and 2004 (childhood obesity foundation, 2015). In Canada, one in three children are overweight or obese (PHAC, 2011). Childhood obesity has both immediate and long-term negative health outcomes including hypertension, type 2 diabetes, heart diseases, gall bladder disease, stroke, and certain types of cancer etc. It is recognized that obesity is complex problem that requires action from multiple sectors. The management of childhood obesity …show more content…
• Model and teach children about healthy foods, eating habits and staying active;
• Send the same healthy message at home, in school, day care, recreation centers;
• Get involved in organizations that help create and support healthy communities. (RNAO, 2012)
Healthy eating habits for children Canada’s food guide will provide the healthy food choice to meet the nutrient and energy needs. Family or parents can actively participate in setting a good example for the children to be a role model for healthy eating. Eat meals together with family and start by making wise food choices when you shop because what you buy is what you eat. Also, involve children in choosing foods at grocery store by teaching them how to use the nutrition facts table (Government of Canada, 2015).
Healthy eating for Infants (birth to 2 years):
• Breastfeeding:
• Giving additional Vitamin D:
• First foods should be high in Iron:
Healthy eating for Six months to 2 years:
• Support breastfeeding for up to two years or …show more content…
Healthy eating for Children greater than 2 years:
• Choose foods from each of the four food groups
• Eat at least one dark leafy, green and orange vegetable daily
• Choose fruits and vegetables with little or no added fat, sugar or salt
• Eat fruits and vegetable more often than juice
• Eat grain products that are lower in fat sugar or salt
• Drink milk every day
• Eat lower fat milk products
• Eat lean meat and alternatives e.g. beans, lentils, tofu with little or no added salt or fat
• Drink water often
• Serve small and healthy meals/snacks everyday (RNAO, 2012)
Promoting Physical activity: The amount of time children spend watching TV, playing video games and engaging in recreational computer use competes with time spent being active, leads to consumption of advertised foods and to overeating and decreases resting metabolic rate (Nadarajah, 2014). So, decreasing screen time and allowing opportunities for being active helps to prevent childhood obesity.
Activities for infants:
• Should be physically active every day,
• Activities include ‘tummy time’, rolling on the floor, reaching and grabbing for toys, and
Canada is facing epidemic of overweight and obesity. Childhood obesity has been rising steadily in Canada in recent years as evidenced by increment from 15 to 26 percent of prevalence of overweight and obesity among children age 2-17 years in between 1978/79 and 2004 (childhood obesity foundation, 2015). In Canada, one in three children are overweight or obese (PHAC, 2011). Childhood obesity has both immediate and long-term negative health outcomes including hypertension, type 2 diabetes, heart diseases, gall bladder disease, stroke, and certain types of cancer etc. It is recognized that obesity is complex problem that requires action from multiple sectors. The management of childhood obesity …show more content…
• Model and teach children about healthy foods, eating habits and staying active;
• Send the same healthy message at home, in school, day care, recreation centers;
• Get involved in organizations that help create and support healthy communities. (RNAO, 2012)
Healthy eating habits for children Canada’s food guide will provide the healthy food choice to meet the nutrient and energy needs. Family or parents can actively participate in setting a good example for the children to be a role model for healthy eating. Eat meals together with family and start by making wise food choices when you shop because what you buy is what you eat. Also, involve children in choosing foods at grocery store by teaching them how to use the nutrition facts table (Government of Canada, 2015).
Healthy eating for Infants (birth to 2 years):
• Breastfeeding:
• Giving additional Vitamin D:
• First foods should be high in Iron:
Healthy eating for Six months to 2 years:
• Support breastfeeding for up to two years or …show more content…
Healthy eating for Children greater than 2 years:
• Choose foods from each of the four food groups
• Eat at least one dark leafy, green and orange vegetable daily
• Choose fruits and vegetables with little or no added fat, sugar or salt
• Eat fruits and vegetable more often than juice
• Eat grain products that are lower in fat sugar or salt
• Drink milk every day
• Eat lower fat milk products
• Eat lean meat and alternatives e.g. beans, lentils, tofu with little or no added salt or fat
• Drink water often
• Serve small and healthy meals/snacks everyday (RNAO, 2012)
Promoting Physical activity: The amount of time children spend watching TV, playing video games and engaging in recreational computer use competes with time spent being active, leads to consumption of advertised foods and to overeating and decreases resting metabolic rate (Nadarajah, 2014). So, decreasing screen time and allowing opportunities for being active helps to prevent childhood obesity.
Activities for infants:
• Should be physically active every day,
• Activities include ‘tummy time’, rolling on the floor, reaching and grabbing for toys, and