Part 1/3

Prevention and identification of childhood overweight and obesity.

Education and Prevention of Risk

Age Specific Prevention Messages to Promote Healthy Weight

1) Infant/Toddler

• Encourage breastfeeding; discourage overfeeding of bottle fed infants [A].
• Avoid premature introduction of solids and base timing for introduction of solids on child's development, usually between 4 months and 6 months of age.
• Preserve natural satiety by respecting a child's appetite.
•  Educate caregivers on the importance of age-specific meals and snacks, consistent mealtimes, appropriate snacking, serving sizes, reading nutritional labeling, and daily physical activity.
•  Educate parents about the importance of parental role modeling for healthy lifestyle behaviors and of parental controls [D].
•  Avoid high calorie, nutrient poor beverages (e.g., soda, fruit punch, or any juice drink less than 100% juice).
•  Limit intake of 100% juice to <6 oz per day; may offer in a cup, starting at 6 months of age.
•  Evaluate general comorbidities, including but not limited to cardiovascular disease of parents.
•  No television or computer screen time under the age of 2 [D].

 These are the most current recommended pro-active steps to combat childhood obesity.  I will have the steps for the preschoolers next week. Lets work together to combat this lifestyle disease that leads to diabetes and heart disease later in life.

Note:  In addition to the above recommendations I will recommend adding a Whole Food Base Multi-vitamin and Omega 3 supplement (we have a vegetarian version of Omega 3 for children allergic to fish).