Common Habits of Overweight Kids

Children who are overweight have some common habits. They have been practicing bad health habits for a number of years.

Here are seven typical habits of overweight children:

• Never exercise ~ try to get the children to play 1-2 hours 2-3 times per week.
• Eating out more than 2 times per week~ restaurant portions are often huge and cooked with lots of oil. If children eat out, make sure to take at least half home!
• Always say 'yes' to seconds ~ Don’t encourage saying 'yes' to a request for a second portion until you wait about 20 minutes to decide if they are full enough from the first helping.
• Avoid Light Activity ~ make an effort to encourage children to take the stairs, get outside and walk.
• Always say 'yes' to sweets ~ when children crave something sweet, suggest fruit or at least only a little bit of candy, but don't encourage eating dessert just because it's there.
• Eating without feeling hungry ~children often eat to satisfy emotional needs, so find other ways to brighten their mood besides food.
• Skipping meals ~ skipping meals can lead to overeating later in the day so be sure that they eat several small meals throughout the day.