Its shocking to see how many loving and caring parents do not realize that by not taking prompt action to help their kids to get within their desirable weight they are only paving the way for early onset diseases that will result in a less healthy adulthood and reduced longevity for their off springs because of Childhood Obesity.

I remember back then when I was a kid forty six years ago to this date to be more precise, there where fewer kids that where overweight. My classroom was composed of 48 kids and only a couple where obese and still all of us where very active including them, today you only have to look around to realize how evident are the pandemic proportions that this health problem is acquiring in the United States.

The daily activities and games full with dynamic vigor of those days are in stark contrast with the extremely sedentary lifestyles of today kids. The video games, the Internet, chat rooms and social networking on the web are substituting the kids social physical interaction of the past, plus the bad eating habits of consuming foods loaded with a high fat content, high carbohydrate diets and high sugar content drinks consumed in huge proportions by kids these days just exponentially grow the problem.

Increasing cases of early onset diabetes and abnormal high levels of cholesterol and triglycerides starting to build up plaque in arteries at a very young age should be enough to compel us to take action by modifying our sedentary ways and for that matter our kids ways.

Easy Tips to Fight Childhood Obesity.

Instead of seating down several hours in front of the TV or computer screen we should go out with our kids for a 30 minute brisk walk 3 or 4 times a week this will provide enough time to talk with the kids about how crafting together a family strategy will help out in solving this problems.
Stop the use of soft drinks and beverages with high sugar content, specially those manufactured products that use high fructose corn syrup as a sweetener, substitute with cold lemonade or iced green tea and use stevia to sweeten up these drinks.
Substitute refined flours for whole wheat flours, add fiber to your mixes, a couple spoons of ground flax seed will do wonders for digestion and will provide essential fatty acids, if making spaghetti or pastas buy the whole wheat type.
Involve your kids in the making of homemade soy milk as a healthier alternative to regular milk, if you have to go for dairy products chose the low fat presentations.
Bake muffins or cookies with steel cut oats as its main ingredient, add almonds, walnuts and pecans for a crunchier and healthier snack.
Make eating vegetables fun by using them to draw funny faces in their plates, this will make them more willing to consume them. Do the same with fruits.
Make fish recipes at least twice a week instead of red meats, if you go for red meat chose the cuts that end in loin (sirloin, tenderloin, etc.)

Make sure to consult and follow your kids physician advise specially if there are certain medical conditions involved with your kids. They will know the ideal weight and the health conditions of your kid before starting any exercise program or diet modifications.