TIPS For Families

Written by Susan Hansen, Extension Educator, University of Nebraska Extension

            An issue in the news is childhood obesity.  Making food choices that are not as healthy combined with less physical activity result in more overweight and less fit youth.  This can cause serious health issues now as youth and down the road as adults.

            What can be done?  Are there more calories going in than being used?  If yes, then that is a big part of the problem.  Decreasing calories and/or increasing physical activity needs to be done for weight management.

            Look at portions.  How much is really on the plate?  A serving size for adults and older children for many foods is one half cup.  Young children have smaller serving sizes.  It can be okay to have more than one serving size of a food at a meal – just be aware of the fact when planning the rest of the day’s food intake.  In addition, two servings (total of one cup) of a lowfat, low calorie food such as green beans at a meal can be a good thing.

            What can you do as a family to reduce the risk of obesity and to encourage healthy eating habits and physical activity?

1)      Check out MyPyramid.gov for information on the food groups and serving sizes.  There’s also a kids section.

2)      Have each family member make a list of their favorite snacks.  Identify the food group for each snack.  Talk about which snacks might be healthier choices.  Keep some of those healthier snacks on hand.

3)      Take walks around the neighborhood or farm.  Practice identifying the trees, leaves, plants and animals seen during the walk.  Create a story about what everyone is seeing, hearing and feeling.

If you wish to leave feedback about this TIPS for Families, click on the TIPS Feedback Form at the bottom of this page.  For more information on Childhood Obesity go to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln publication website at www.ianrpub.unl.edu and click on Families.

Source:  MyPyramid.gov