By Joen Lane
America has one of the most sophisticated healthcare systems in the world, home to incredible technologies, research labs, scientists, experts, and skilled providers who have proven that progress for cures moves forward each day. However, when we step outside our doctor’s offices and look at our health as a whole, it’s undeniable that we are a country that consumes excess in almost all aspects of living. When it comes to feeding our bodies, we not only eat in excess, but very frequently, we eat what tastes good but offers us little or no nutritional value. Mandatory labels show calorie count, fats, carbs, sugars, added nutrients (if any), and an ingredient list that includes mostly processed food and various additives. This over-consumption and failure to add good habits or reign in poor ones has resulted in our nation touting some of the highest rates of disease, the most common being obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease. We tend to overindulge and then rely on our healthcare system to “fix it” with surgery, medicines, or treatments.
Obesity ranks as an American health threat for our youth as it climbs to upper double-digit numbers across the country. Our colleagues in the European countries are appalled by our food consumption and the quality of food we feed our children and ourselves. To say that moderation would solve it is an oversimplification. Moderation is only part of the story. As adults, we make eating decisions daily, and unfortunately, we often choose to consume convenience foods, sugary beverages, or foods high in added sugar or refined, processed flour. Some of the population pay the consequences in the gym. Our children have fallen prey to both our bad choices and habits with outcomes that could render their lives shorter and with more medical problems than the last two generations combined.
HealthyChildren.org offers some suggestions by age. Visit their website, www.healthychildren.org and check out what else they have to say.
Recommendations by Age
Birth to age 1: In addition to its many health benefits, breastfeeding may help prevent excessive weight gain. Though the exact mechanism is not known, breastfed babies may be more able to control their own intake and follow their own internal hunger cues.
Ages 1 to 5: Start good habits early. Help shape food preferences by offering a variety of healthy foods. Encourage kids’ natural tendency to be active, and help them build on developing skills.
Ages 6 to 12: Encourage kids to be physically active every day, whether through an organized sports team or a pick-up game of soccer during recess. Keep your kids active at home through everyday activities, like walking and playing in the yard. Let them be more involved in making good food choices, such as packing a lunch.
Ages 13 to 18: Teens like fast food, but try to steer them toward healthier choices, like grilled chicken sandwiches, salads, and smaller portion sizes. Teach them how to prepare healthy meals and snacks at home. Encourage teens to be active every day.
All ages: Cut down on TV, computer, and video game time, and discourage eating while watching the tube. Serve a variety of healthy foods, and eat meals together as often as possible. Encourage kids to have at least five servings of fruits and vegetables a day, limit sugar-sweetened beverages, and eat breakfast every day.
Joen Lane is a certified weight loss coach with Ideal Family Weight Loss & Life Balance Center, offering Ideal Protein, the medically-developed, sensible weight loss protocol. The center is located at 2103 E. Washington Street in Bloomington. Their mission is to help people take control of their weight and keep it off. Classes are offered on a variety of food and lifestyle topics. For more information, please call 309-661-3235.
Photo credit: Juanmonino/iStock
Sources upon request