Healthy Eating for Kids

Many parents are unable to tell when their own child is overweight, a recent study has found.

09:15 09 September 2016

One in five children in the UK leaving primary school are obese and the parents’ inability to tell when their own child is overnight adds to the problem. Consultant paediatrician Professor Mary Rudolf said many parents would not know that "a healthy 10-year-old's ribs should be clearly visible. Many parents would consider that such a child was quite underweight."

 

Experts say that the best way for parents to ensure that their children are healthy is to lead by example. They said that if parents eat well and are active, children are more likely to follow suit.

 

Children, regardless of their weight, are recommended to have 60 minutes of exercise per day. Walking or cycling on small journeys is seen as an easy way to get the whole family moving. Also, children should eat at least five portions of fruit and vegetables everyday.

 

Aisling Pigott, a paediatric dietitian and spokesperson for the British Dietetic Association, says it's important to "talk to children from a young age openly and honestly about food as a positive thing".

 

"Have open discussions about enjoying food, take the focus away from body image to health and wellbeing, as opposed to look and image," she says.

 

"Don't use negative words words like fat and ugly with your children - don't talk about cutting down and not eating certain foods as it makes children want them more," she adds.