Parents and their kids' health

As I sit here and begin to contemplate many of the eating habits that I have, I realize they had to have come from somewhere and I think that somewhere was from my parents. Those habits are both good and bad, but they are definitely something very specific that I remember my parents doing when I was younger. For example, my dad loves to drink soda and has many throughout the day. Growing up I have always thought that was a normal occurrence, and I think that is why soda is a big part of my diet as well. However, my dad has always been fit and active, as well as encouraged us to do the same, so there was never an association between soda and being overweight.

Unfortunately, not all children have parents who are willing to talk about health concerns with them or to teach them how to eat healthy and take care of themselves. The Advisory Board Company's website discusses this very topic of parents taking charge of their household and educating their children and families regarding healthy living. The main problem this article addresses is the fact that parents are fearful of having this talk and so therefore, they shy away from it and deny the obesity problems that their kids are having. Children's Healthcare of Atlanta launched a movement called Strong4Life in order to encourage parents to create healthy families. The best way to help parents and kids avoid this growing epidemic in our country is to get them to be proactive about it and take the necessary steps ahead of time rather than trying to reverse bad habits.