Space Lékué > Ideas for... > Put a stop to child obesity
Ideas for...
Put a stop to child obesity
Obesity figures are increasing every year, especially when it comes to child obesity. More and more children start to be overweight at a very young age. One of the main causes is the balance between the big amounts of food ingested and the little physical activity. The key to prevent child obesity is to educate young ones to have a healthy lifestyle.
On the one hand, the consumption of fruit and vegetables should be encouraged. Children don´t tend to accept these foods much, but there are some tricks for them to like them more. It is also important for parents to eat them and give a good example. On the other hand, the presentation should be attractive, for example, serving skewers of mixed fruits will probably be more successful than only a piece of fruit.
Another fundamental point, whenever possible, is for children to be involved in the preparation of food. For example, they can help to decorate, with different vegetables, a homemade pizza consisting of cottage loaf, tomato and cheese. Also, another good strategy could be to camouflage the foods they like the least in the ones they prefer. What do you think about preparing some pies like cauliflower pieor spinach cannelloni, or adding some mushrooms to the pasta? These are different ways of preparing vegetables and are very well accepted by younger ones.
It is also essential to give an example. The best thing would be for you to all eat together and if possible have the same food. Children copy what their parents do. It is no good for them to be given cream of vegetable soup, while the parents have a butty.
On the other hand, the consumption of foods high in sugars and/or fat such as sugary drinks, potato chips, confectionary and bakery products.... should be moderated. In the case of bakery products, for example, a healthy option is to prepare them at home. What do you think about preparing homemade chocolate and hazelnut cakethis weekend as an afternoon snack? You can make them with the Lékué figure moulds. They would love it!
Lastly, it is important to point out the importance of physical exercise. As well as practising their favourite sport, you can do family activities such as going on bicycle rides, going on an excursion to the mountains, going skating … The children will learn that doing exercise is fun.
