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Obesity Insights

7 (Sometimes Surprising) Secrets for Stopping Childhood Obesity

Practice what you preach. Of all the mistakes parents make, the "Do as I say, not as I do" syndrome may be the most serious. Children learn from watching you. They want to eat what they see you eating. Their approach to exercise (or lack thereof) is modeled after yours. If you watch TV from the moment you get home in the evenings, they will accept this behavior as normal. "Changing your lifestyle to set a better example for your children is not a bad thing," says Thompson. "Most people could stand to eat more healthfully and get more exercise. You might find that making a commitment to improve your child's health is the best thing that ever happened to yours."

Ultimately, say the authors, creating a healthy environment for your child to grow up in has positive repercussions that go far beyond the numbers on the scale. "The lessons children learn from your efforts to promote good health are beneficial, indeed," says Shanley. "From making good food choices, children learn moderation and self-discipline. From helping in meal preparation, they learn to share responsibility. These are values that will serve them well in every aspect of life. And when a family plays together instead of staring numbly at the TV, everyone builds stronger, closer relationships and makes the most of their limited time together. Correcting the mistakes that lead to childhood obesity may be the best thing you can do, not just for your kids, but for your entire family."