Parents who play diet defense win big
Parents are the first line of defense in protecting their children from poor diets, says Dr. Gerard J. Musante, founder of the residential weight loss program Structure House.Think of obesity the way you think about the diseases for which you get your child vaccinated, Musante tells Scholastic's Parent & Child Magazine. The "shot" your kids need in the diet arena is your behavior and good example.
Musante has a few tips for getting your kids in tip-top shape.
The first two years of life are critical for teaching kids how to eat right and move right, he says. So make sure you have the right foods in your house. If you don't, forgo the complaints later down the line about school vending machines. If the same junk fills your cupboards, you have no room to grumble.
Be a good role model too. And take your children to gymnastics, swimming, or dance classes. This will teach your kids to crave activity, not food. Combine with limited TV watching and computer time and you've got the makings for positively healthy kiddos.
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