Battling childhood obesity
To help children maintain a healthy weight, the American Academy of Pediatrics has recommended breast-feeding infants, curbing juice and turning off the TV.
Its latest message to parents focuses on what to do if your child already is too heavy, the case with 25 percent of children ages 2 to 18, according to the physicians’ group.
A Parent’s Guide to Childhood Obesity, edited by Sandra G. Hassink (American Academy of Pediatrics, $15.95), offers advice on working together as a family to adopt a healthy lifestyle. Once a child’s weight problem is diagnosed — no sure thing, since parents may not recognize or admit a child has a problem, and doctors may be reluctant to raise the topic - the book offers advice on eating properly for childhood growth rather than placing a child on a diet more suitable for an adult.
Along with advice to make time as a family for physical activity and healthy eating, the book gives practical suggestions for situations that can sabotage the best intentions, like eating on the run.
Log on to aap.org for more details.
Cox News Service