Tips to Combat Childhood Obesity
Chart menus and plan a healthy eating strategy.
April 4, 2007 — -- Parents can play an important part in the war against childhood obesity, which can lead to heart disease, diabetes and other medical problems later in life.
For the latest nutrition information for children and teens by age group, the Mayo Clinic offers guidelines at www.mayoclinic.com.
You can also build your own menu plan based on the U.S. Department of Agriculture's food pyramid at www.mypyramid.gov.
To help combat obesity, the American Obesity Association suggests some simple planning strategies to encourage good eating habits in children and bring more fitness to a family's weekly routine.
The American Medical Association also recommends that physicians check body mass index (BMI), which is used to gauge obesity, in routine examinations for children.
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