Train Your Kids To Eat Right

Presently, we are experiencing an epidemic of obesity on our nation. Even more alarming is the fact that the statistics that follow obesity continue to rise. With obesity so common in adults, just consider the kind of eating behavior we are passing on to our youth.

According to the Center for Disease Control, over 16% of children ages 6-19 are overweight. In other words, they fit the criteria for medical classification of obesity. That’s an outrageous number of kids that are at risk because of their weight. Even younger kids ages 2-5 are excessively overweight in increasing numbers (10%). These figures make me so sad.

This is a big problem, and I believe we need to seek God for a solution. I am confident that if we eat the right kinds of food and avoid overindulgence, our kids will learn to do the same. We also need to be more active by making such activities as bike riding or swimming a family event.

In my community, almost every home has a basketball goal in the driveway. But rarely is it utilized; almost never as a family. Yet basketball is a great way to stay active and have fun.

I like to walk and play basketball with my kids and their friends. Even my grown up kids still enjoy playing because they grew up that way. I am also an active member of a fitness gym where I teach aerobic exercises. On the days that I cannot go to the gym, I walk on my treadmill.

I make good food choices by habit. My kids sometimes splurge on hamburgers or pizza, but they are so much better than they used to be. They understand more and more about healthy eating.

There are many diets out there that describe how to lose unwanted weight. Jarod is famous for losing weight by eating subway sandwiches. I have heard that the Atkins diet has helped many to lose weight, lower their blood pressure and cholesterol, and control blood sugars. This and other diets may be a good thing to consider.

But I believe that self control (temperance) is greater than any diet. We need to focus on eating less and eating right. Be not deceived, God is not mocked: for whatever a man soweth, that shall he also reap Galatians 6:7. By choosing to eat the right kinds of foods and avoiding overeating, we will be sowing life and health right into our body.

God wants us to enjoy this life including good food. But we will need to avoid the bad eating habits of the past and make good eating a high priority. Then we will enjoy a healthier more enjoyable life.

By: Lindia Brown