I heard an interesting question on one of the news channels, and I’ve really been pondering the answer.  Should social workers take obese children from the home?  I’ve taken time to really think about the question.  Is the obesity due to a medical problem?   If it is a medical problem or unhealthy foods?  It’s a parent’s responsibility to teach good eating habits.  So, today I’m sharing parenting tips on healthy eating tips for children.

So, the American Medical Association believes instilling healthy eating habits is the ethical thing to do.  Most importantly, they believe the child should be removed from the home and taught the proper eating habits.  The importance of getting physical activity is included as well.  Once this is accomplished, the parents and child can be reunited.  Do you agree?  Teaching healthy eating as a family would also be beneficial?

Because children spend so much time on the computer or playing computer games these day, they rarely get physical activity.  The lack of physical activity along with unhealthy meals has lead to severe obesity in our country.  There are approximately 2 million obese children in the United States.  This is a serious problem wouldn’t you say?  I do see a few kids in my neighborhood out riding a bike or walking.  And it’s so pleasing.

Unfortunately, doctors have told parents that they are literally killing their obese children.  It’s such a sad and break breaking situation to see.  Parents are literally loving their children to death.

Also, many parents complain that they can’t afford the healthier foods.  It’s cheaper to buy soda and other junk than all natural juice,  veggies and better cuts of meat.  I decided to plant a garden to cut down on my food bill.  Canning and freezing freeze fresh veggies and tomatoes for sauces, salsa, soups and chili will produce healthy meals.  For example, soups and chili are nutritious.  Homemade salsa with chips make a great snack.  Use homemade sauce for pizza or dipping sauce for baked mozzarella sticks.  Plant corn for popcorn and season with your own spices.  Gardening can be a great learning experience for kids.

Unfortunately, not everyone has room for a garden,  But there are alternatives like container gardening that can be done on a patio or balcony.  The prices in the grocery store are ridiculous and the vegetables taste like cardboard.  Furthermore, fruits like strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries can also be grown in containers.  I don’t blame the kids for not wanting to eat produce from the grocery stores.  I can barely get them down, and one of the reasons I started gardening.  There’s a million recipes for chicken, which is the one meat that is not that expensive and considered healthy.

I’m not sure about removing the child from the home, but I am sure that we have a child obesity problem in this country and it is leading to high blood pressure, diabetics, and other health problems.  Do you promote healthy eating and physical activity in your home?