FAMILIES

HEALTHY WEIGHT

JUST FOR MOMS

SMART SNACKS

STAY ACTIVE

GROWING UP WITH A HEALTHY WEIGHT

How is Your Child Growing?
  • Growth patterns vary among children. Discuss your child's weight with your child's health care provider.
  • Babies and toddlers naturally have a higher amount of body fat until the ages of two and three.
  • The average preschool child gains 5-6 pounds per year. The goal for overweight children is to try to keep their weight the same or to slow down the weight gain.
  • Overweight children often grow up to be overweight adults. A healthy weight is key to a long, healthy life.

What Causes Children to Become Overweight?
  • Lack of physical activity
  • Unhealthy eating patterns
  • Family history

How to Promote a Healthy Weight?
  • Have meals and snacks at regular times. Planned meals and snacks encourage healthy eating.
  • Serve small, child-size portions.
  • Offer plenty of vegetables and fruits. They make great snacks.
  • Let your child decide how much to eat. Your child does not have to clean his or her plate.
  • Comfort your child with love, not food. Reward with stickers, hugs, kisses, or a few words of praise.
  • Set a good example. Children will copy your food and activity habits.
  • Turn off the TV during meals and snacks. Eat in the kitchen or dining room.
  • Encourage your child to be active. Plan activities together with your child. GET MOVING!!!
  • Spend less time watching TV and playing video/computer games. Take a walk or play ball with your child.
  • Offer water instead of soda or flavored drinks.

*Pediatricians recommend that children watch TV no more than two hours each day.

OBESITY

  • One in five New York children is overweight.
  • The most common nutrition concern is childhood obesity.
  • Poor nutrition and inadequate physical activity, combined, are the second most preventable causes of death in the U.S.
  • If parents are overweight, their children are more likely to be overweight.

EAT WELL PLAY HARD

1. Increase age-appropriate physical activity.
  • Encourage active play.
  • Turn off the TV and video games.
  • Play and be physically active with your children.
  • Be a role model.
  • Move toward good health.

2. Increase intake of low-fat and fat-free dairy foods.
  • Offer low-fat (1%) or fat-free milk.
  • Choose reduced fat, low-fat, lite or part-skim cheeses.
  • Cook with low-fat dairy foods.
  • Be a role model.
  • Move to 1% or less!

3. Increase intake of vegetables and fruits.
  • Offer vegetables and fruits at every meal.
  • Choose fruit or vegetables as a snack.
  • Try different vegetables and fruits.
  • Be a role model.
  • Go for the greens!