Getting kids to eat their fruits and veggies is hard enough, but when you have a picky eater it’s even harder. It can be tempting to give in as long as they’re eating something, but allowing bad eating habits – like reaching for the cookies instead of carrots or a bag of chips instead of a banana – can lead to an unhealthy lifestyle. An unhealthy lifestyle can lead to weight gain and even child obesity or obesity as a teen or adult. Help your kids to start good eating habits by making fun, creative and healthy snacks like the ones featured below:

Childhood obesity is becoming a very common problem here in the United States. In fact, according to the CDC, more than 1 in 5 school-aged children are obese. If this number includes your child, don’t stress; there are some very simple ways to help get your little one moving to improve their weight and health.

As we discussed in our previous blog, Childhood Obesity: Causes, Challenges, and Consequences, there are 3 million new cases of childhood obesity each year. The number sounds startling, however, it’s not the end all be all. There are ways to combat childhood obesity, prevent it, and get it under control once it’s already taken its hold. These tips center around lifestyle changes, while focusing on baby steps. A small difference in each day for thirty days straight will have a far greater impact than two days of big changes in a 30 day period.

Obesity. A stigma-soaked word for many. Every parent wants healthy children who love themselves, who have the best opportunities life can offer them. Childhood obesity can feel like a thunderstorm on the parade of life. One might even forget it’s not always a choice, sometimes it’s a disease. Sometimes it’s even a symptom of a disease.