Social Studies News Articles For Kids
Social Studies News Articles for Kids
Is your child overweight? Tips for getting your kids to eat Right
Almost 30 years ago, the USDA did a serious attempt to classify ketchup as a fresh vegetable in school lunches. For obvious reasons, the proposal was broad grin and shot down. In 2004 the department had another go, this time huge batter-coated french fries. So do not feel guilty about super-sizing your fries more, just think of them as a salad-USDA does.
The food industry has always influenced our eating habits, making it difficult for parents to control what their children eat. But now the industry's marketing strategies have become far more sophisticated and invasive, children bombarded with products and advertisements from all possible angles, even infiltrating our schools.
The food lobby is profit-driven enterprise like everyone else, and would never voluntarily enforce non-binding public health regulations, it is we have to demand more vigilance from school boards and FDA to keep profiteering corporations out of our kids' schools. With rapid fooderies sprouting up on every corner and a national obesity epidemic that-awful-is growing degree of suffering even young children, (The National Academies' Institute of Medicine, the number of obesity among children has doubled in the 2-5 year olds in the last 30 years) No surprise that the parents put the blame of those who have most to gain.
Certainly, many food companies neglect the social responsibility that comes with the area and sometimes it can seem like the media have replaced us as our kids' role models, but the ability and responsibility to instill good eating habits ultimately lies with parents, those who actually choose and buy food. There is absolutely no excuse for having a junk-food store kitchen, where your only function is to an on-call chef. It is especially important to inspire a healthy routine in children from a young age to teach them and adapt them to good nutritional practices.
If a 2-5 year old is overweight, it is only the parents are to blame for his poor eating habits. But the good news is that it is never too late to start eating healthy, and according to leading experts that the benefits by doing so goes beyond physical well-being to improve the overall attitude and mental health.
A common obstacle many mothers and fathers face before you take the first step towards healthy living is knowing where to start. With the impending litany of books and conflicting ideas about health topics available today, it is easy to think laws nutrition has no rhyme or reason. (After all, think the medical community's position on children drink coffee to change almost every month and only in November last year a study in Aberdeen showed that stooping is actually good for your back!) To help sort some of the confusion we have put together a series of general guidelines below to help make sense of it all and dispel some common misconceptions.
The claim
Children must allowed to eat until they are satisfied.
FACTS
There is no consensus on this issue, but many experts agree that children should allowed to choose their own portions. Weight-Control Information Network also recommend starting with small portions and letting your child ask for more if he / she is still hungry.
There are two provisos: children should only have enough to eat if the meal is healthy (limiting your child's daily juice intake is an acceptable and recommended weight-control method), second, forcing a child who is not hungry to eat can facilitate bingeing and is discouraged. Even if your child seems too thin, but growing at a normal rate, there is no reason to worry. If you are worried your child can not eat enough, a log of his / her growth progress begins to identify a potential development stunt In addition to consulting with a pediatrician.
Finally, keep an eye on various factors that may further mitigate eating habits: for example, children have proved to eat more in groups, which makes playing the right time to have plenty of healthy and caused snacks available. A study published by researchers at the University of Buffalo last Friday showed that children also tend to eat more while watching TV. It's easy to eat too much, when distracted, so we propose to reduce airtime one hour at night.
The claim
Athletic children need more nutrients, especially protein in their diet.
FACTS
Along with watching what you eat, exercising one of the best gifts you can give yourself, and build muscle is only one of its many advantages. While children who are active are using more energy and certainly require more calories to replace it, more protein, contrary to popular opinion add up to more muscle. This misunderstanding most probably due to a deterioration in protein deficiency, an extremely rare condition among American children. Nutrition experts recommend a simple 15% daily intake of protein for athletes, with 50% earmarked for the carbs, the body's primary fuel.
Another common misconception is that children who are active need more vitamins. In fact, taking too many supplements (like iron) can lead to an overdose. Fluid requirements on the other hand, is very high during a strenuous exercise, especially because thirst is not considered a reliable indicator of hydration. Center for Disease Control recommend drinking water every 15-20 minutes before, during and after training, especially in the heat.
This brings us to dispel another myth: the water quenches thirst better than Gatorade sports drinks are better suited for strenuous or prolonged exercise, because they contain electrolytes, which help to maintain body fluid levels and electrical fuel glucose. This means that sports drinks not only a slow dehydration but also provide energy. To summarize the main points of athletic children need extra food energy but should not change the balance of calorie-type situations in their diet. Even more important than a balanced diet for an athlete is constant attention to his / her hydration schedule.
Tip: Eat or conduct directed by a strong activity will slow your performance.
The claim
Eating sugar gives a temporary energy boost.
FACTS
The energy rush we get from sugar walks by leisurely over the reeds, the body relies on stored energy-glucose stored in muscles and liver so not only is sugar useless, but it can even increase the risk of gastrointestinal problems such as cramps and nausea after Suzanne Nelson Sc.D. RD, University of Washington.
The most important thing to remember is that whatever how difficult junk-food companies do to change your children's eating habits, you have more influence in your role as a parent, we think you'll be surprised how painless transition can be when you record a little fun and variety in the menu: Remember that mealtime is a perfect opportunity to embed a positive vision of healthy eating in your children, try to keep it fun and avoid conflict. Also feel free to indulge in your favorite foods occasionally (black is a great way to build excitement and a positive approach to nutrition), just not to compromise healthy eating right out of your routine!, always remember who decides the menu.
Information the article is not to replace the medical expertise and advice of your health care provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate medical professional.
About the Author
Alex Tatarinov-Levin is a writer for Yodle, a business directory and online advertising company. Find a doctor or more health articles at Yodle Consumer Guide.