The Canadian Medical Association has described childhood obesity as an epidemic. During the period 1981 to 1996, the number of boys and girls who were overweight doubled; the number that were obese tripled. Among overweight children and adolescents, the risk factors for heart disease like elevated cholesterol and high blood pressure, occur with increased frequency in comparison to those at a healthy weight. Type 2 diabetes, previously considered an adult disease, has increased dramatically in both children and adolescents. An overweight adolescent has a 70% chance of carrying that into adulthood; an 80% if one or more parent is overweight or obese. Quite the recitation, isn’t it?

What causes obesity in children? Generally, it is a combination of unhealthy eating and a lack of physical activity. Despite outside influences, including genetics, it is largely family life that that determines eating and activity patterns. The trend to a sedentary lifestyle that we all face — from television to the internet to video games and more — contributes to our children’s inactive lifestyles.

Helping kids to avoid the problems, dangers and pitfalls of obesity will not only benefit children, but they are likely to improve family life, even. Getting involved in your child’s health will pay off for both of you. But what can you do?

The first place to start should probably be the Canada Food Guide: it’s an essential tool that will make healthy eating choices much clearer. After that, consider these ideas:

- Encourage your child to eat when hungry and to eat slowly.
- Carefully cut down on the amount of fat and calories in your family’s diet.
- Help your child to find ways to de-stress that do not involve eating.
- Avoid the use of food as a reward, or withholding food as punishment.
- Plan for healthy snacks.
- Lobby your school to offer healthy alternatives and avoid poor ones.
Perhaps the single best step you can take to encourage your child is to set the right example. Your being active, and your good eating habits will demonstrate to your child that it is okay to do those things, even preferable. After all, it is the family that has the biggest influence on a child’s habits.

Whatever your child weighs, let them know that they are loved and appreciated. Chances are that he or she already knows they are heavy and your focus on that will not help. Instead, help your child to grow into their weight. Instead of dieting — a poor developmental choice for children in the first place — strive to help them maintain their existing weight as they grow taller, growing into the weight. This is usually the best strategy for kids.

Children do not develop weight problems overnight. They evolve gradually until things are out of control. It would pay to remember that it will always be easier to prevent weight and body image problems than to correct them after the fact.

And remember: Active parents have active kids!

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Call-out: “Active parents have active kids!”