Childhood Obesity - Food Does Not Equal Love

Are you a parent that is afraid to say no? Do you need the affirmation of your children or loved ones to build up your own self esteem?

There is nothing cuter than a plump and healthy baby or a chubby-cheeked toddler. We all have different bodies and body types. A tall slender parent can have a short stocky child and a short stocky parent can have a slender child. There is no need to think your child should look like you and have the same shape of hands, feet, or body as you had at that age. However, you have to be realistic about your child's health.

Don't be the parent that enables their children and poor eating habits

There are some parents who want to put their tiny children on a diet for no reason than the parent is obsessed with food and diet and appearances. And there are some parents who do not recognize that their child is obese. If you said to a mother, your child is at risk of diabetes or heart disease because of her weight, chances are good that you would hear a very rough review of how you should mind your own business.

Even harder than that is assessing your own child's health. You see the little person you would die for and in your eyes she is perfect. Maybe she just has a little baby fat but we all know that goes away. Even if she becomes a little chubbier, you don't want to deny her the things she loves like fast food burgers and big gooey brownies. It never seems like one little treat will do anything long term negative to her health so why punish her by saying no?

Sometimes real love means that you need to be the tough guy

Well, if every mother felt this way, some would have to be in denial. Studies have shown that in the United States, children who were often fed fast food were taking in way more calories than are healthy for them. Included in these calories are unhealthy levels of saturated fats and carbohydrates. Children are at the mercy of the people who make them their meals and as easy as it is to be loved as the food provider, you have a higher duty to your children. You have to safeguard their health.

Fatty foods, processed foods, and sugary foods all have an impact on your child's lifetime health and wellbeing. Setting them up for a lifetime of pain and disability is no way to show a child love. You shorten their lives and trim a lot of the joy out of life by letting them slowly poison their bodies with junk food and you set them up for ridicule from their friends who will taunt them about their obesity. It is sad but true.

Rather than buy your children fast food, go to a park and spend quality time with them. Rather than open a can or box of processed food at home, get them to help you make a healthy meal. It's a much better way of showing love.