You can't start to early in monitoring your fat intake

1 text file

Ingredients

Quantity Ingredient

Directions

NO INGREDIENTS

Did yo uknow that 25-30% of our children are obese? That is about a 60% increase over the past 20 years. 20-25% of all teenagers are obese. That is about a 50% increase over the past 20 years. The problem is that about 90-95% of those obese teenagers become obese adults. The chances of an obese teenager attaining a normal weight as an adult is about 1 in 30. Not only do obese, overweight children and teenagers suffer from peer and adult discrimination, social isolation, depression, low self esteem, and a negative body image, but they also often suffer from irregular menstural cycles, respiratory problems, hypertension, and a vast number of other health related problems. I want you to be aware of the problems of obesity in children, but I don't want you to go overboard. Don't eliminate all the fat from their diets, even if they are overweight. Young children require a diet that is about 30% fat. They need the fat in their diets to achieve proper growth and developement. They also need a diet filled with vitamins, minerals, fiber, vegetables, grains, fruits and protein. To be quite frank, it would be virtually impossible to cut all of the fat out of your child;s diet even if you wanted to. The serious problem we are dealing with on a national level is allowing our children to consume 40-50% of their total caloric intake in fat. Any low fat modifications and substitutions you use in preparing their food would be most beneficial. They will be getting plenty of fat in their diets from other sources. Teach your children about low fat eating at an early age, and they might not grow up with the cholesterol and weight related problems we face today.

Another suggestion I would like to make is to introduce your child to exercise at an early age by setting an example yourself. I'm not suggesting that you enroll them in a kids aerobics class. Children usually get plenty of exercise on a daily basis with all the sports and activities available to them. Instead, I am suggeating that you let them be aware of YOUR exercise program and what YOU do to stay fit. By setting a positive example with good eating habits and a regular exercise program, you will be showing them a healthy life style and onne they will want to adopt as they grow into young adults. You can be very influential on your child at an early age.

Try to set a positive example for their sake and the sake of their future.

Butter Busters by Pam Mycoskie ISBN 0-446-67040-5 Entered by Carolyn Shaw 2-95

Submitted By CAROLYN SHAW On 02-15-95

Related recipes