Health Watch is a Public Service of the Office of News and Publications and is intended to provide general information only and should not replace the advice of a medical professional. You should contact your physician if you have questions about any of these topics.
This week on Health Watch, we’ve been talking about giving children a good start in life by dealing with problems early, so they won’t have a lifetime impact. Childhood obesity is a growing health concern that leaves children with a greater risk of many diseases later in life. But you can increase a child’s chances of avoiding obesity by teaching good habits.
Cindy Cunningham, a nutrition expert at UT Southwestern Medical Center, suggests keeping food servings small, then allowing more if the child is still hungry. Keep nutritious snacks such as fresh fruits available. Don’t give up on getting a child to try new foods. It may take a few tries before the child develops a taste for the new food. Use low-fat or non-fat substitutes, such as skim milk, when cooking. Finally, encourage children to be active so they get enough exercise to build a healthy body.
Visit http://www.utsouthwestern.org/nutrition to learn more about UT Southwestern’s clinical services in nutrition.
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January 2009
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