Are you searching for a kids weight loss program to help your child shed some pounds? Unfortunately, childhood obesity is a rapidly increasing problem in America and other countries. In generations past, people tended to think of losing weight as a problem you started worrying about as you hit your forties, thirties at worst. Now children and teenagers are desperately trying to lose weight!

The explanation for this is not hard to find. First of all, despite all of the information about nutrition and the value of exercise, many people are not putting it into action. Children and adults alike are eating more junk food and getting less physical activity. This is a recipe for weight gain no matter how old –or young– you may be.

With children, the incredible number of electronic distractions enables them to lead very sedentary lives. Whereas throughout history, no matter where you went in the world, children ran around outdoors, today they can find all kinds of virtual stimulation by sitting in front of a computer. Virtual activity has replaced actual activity for too many kids. Combine this with the ready access to junk food that today’s children have and you can see why so many of our children are getting fat!

What can we as parents, or maybe other relatives, teachers or other types of guardians do to help children get healthier and lose weight? Here are a few tips that can get you thinking in the right direction.

*** Encourage them to play outside. This is getting to be a radical notion for many children and parents. With the lack of open spaces and safety concerns, many parents actually encourage their kids to be sedentary. There are still places to play that are safe and fun. Bring your kids to a park, a playground, the beach, woods, anywhere where they can run around. For more about the benefits of playing outside, see Richard Louv’s book, Last Child In the Woods.

*** Give them healthy snacks to take to school or before they go anywhere. Fresh fruit, vegetables, unsweetened fruit juices (though even these contain lots of natural sugar, so dispense in moderation), trail mix containing healthy foods like organic dried fruit and nuts, healthy energy bars (no added sugar, preferably made with organic and/or raw ingredients), vegetable chips instead of potato chips or pretzels are a few ideas.

*** Get your kids into the habit of using water as their main thirst quencher. Soda in any form is bad news. Fruit juice is certainly better than soda, but water is the purest beverage. It has zero calories and no sugar!

*** Enforce a “no eating in front of the TV or computer” rule. This kind of snacking is a habit that encourages constant eating without really paying attention. Adults, of course do this, too. You simply munch and watch, even if you aren’t hungry.

*** Read ingredients when you shop. Look for healthy, unsweetened breakfast cereals. The best breakfasts include hot oatmeal with fresh fruit, high protein foods like eggs or yogurt and, organic multigrain crackers or bread. Watch the sugar content in other foods, such as peanut butter, tomato sauce, canned foods, etc. You can find unsweetened varieties if you search.

*** Be sure to encourage your kids regarding any sports or physical activities they are enthusiastic about. Being on a team, learning karate, riding a bike or jumping on a trampoline are all fun, healthy and calorie burning activities.

Try to keep a positive attitude when you think about kids weight loss issues. Instead of lecturing or, worse, insulting them for being fat, encourage them to eat a healthy diet and exercise. Even better, be sure to set a good example yourself!

Tags: kids weight loss