Ongoing parenting is necessary to improve children's food choices

Jan 29 2010

Many parents become passive when it comes to their children's food choices. The growing epidemic of obesity in America is a strong indicator of this lapse in parenting. With the variety of resources available from the USDA My Pyramid program to local schools' curriculums, Dr. Sasson ("Dr. Sass") Moulavi, M.D., is surprised by parents' neglect when it comes to allowing poor food choices for children.

"Recently in my office, concerned parents brought in their 12-year-old girl because she was 30 pounds overweight and complaining of fatigue. During the educational process, this child turned to her parents and told them that she will decide what to eat and what to buy, and they can't do anything about it. Then she left the center and her parents could not get her back in," comments Dr. Sass, who is Board Certified in Bariatric Medicine.

Dr. Sass has observed good-intending parents hoping to improve kids' weight issues with healthier foods become overpowered by kids' aggressive, degrading speeches. Usually, the parents do not react with any significant or meaningful response. Instead, the child gets away with it.

Many parents find it difficult to refuse children's poor choices when it comes to nutrition. Frequently, shopping carts are filled with high-fat, high-sugar foods that are convenient and easy to give to children.  

Further recommendations from Dr. Sass, listed below, can start the conversation and introduce new "rules." Ongoing parenting is necessary to teach kids about good nutrition and choices to be made.

-- Explain food groups and ask where their favorite foods fall.

-- Show kids nutrition panels of foods to compare calories, fat, sugars, sodium - that alone may prompt them to make healthier choices. Arm them with information for them to be in control. Rarely will a kid seriously choose something unhealthy when given facts. If they do... put your foot down and tell them that you will not allow it.

-- Allow occasional splurges; kids can earn them and track per day. Cutting back on 1-2/day will be a start.

-- For young children, be the family's "Healthy Hero" and challenge them to pick nutritious choices in a fun, light manner.

In addition, Dr. Sass is working on a FREE educational weight loss video that will be available for parents on youtube.com and at SmartforLife.com.