Our Family World

A blog about you and your family!

Childhood Obesity

Childhood obesity is a major issue that is bordering on an epidemic. It's an issue that can affect your child's physical and emotional well-being. Prevention is the best way to put a stop to childhood obesity. We'll share tips on how to do just that, as well as important health information, news about studies, and some fun ways to get kids thinking about making healthier choices.

How To Talk To Your Kids About Their Weight

Knowing how to talk to kids about their weight is more important than ever. It seems like every month, a new study comes out with terrifying new stats about the impact of being an overweight child. In most recent news, researchers have found that childhood obesity can quadruple the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Obesity has been linking to everything from low self-esteem … [Read more...]

Eating Dinner Together Prevents Childhood Obesity

As parents we want to give our kids the best and healthiest life, and recent studies have shown that Eating Dinner Together Prevents Childhood Obesity.  While parents shouldn't feel pressured to create a home cooked meal every night, simply sitting down to dinner as a family will go a long way toward promoting a healthy lifestyle for the whole family, but especially your … [Read more...]

Taxing Sweets: A Good Way To Prevent Childhood Obesity Or Overstepping Bounds?

We have talked before about our concerns regarding childhood obesity, and now we are approaching the concept of Taxing Sweets: A Good Way To Prevent Childhood Obesity Or Overstepping Bounds?  Despite the fact that the CDC has shown minimal if any increase in obesity in the last few years, they are still considering proposing an additional tax on those who are obese.  Is this … [Read more...]

Do siblings really influence each others health and weight?

Childhood Obesity & The Sibling Effect is a whole new concept to many.  As we approach the battle of the bulge, we must look at the fact that our children are effected by our own weight, as well as their siblings.  While we often focus our thoughts toward the parents and their role in childhood obesity, we must also consider how siblings weight and health can create a … [Read more...]

Does Childhood Obesity Cause Asthma?

We're talking about a new question that has been brought up in the medical community: does childhood obesity cause asthma?   In recent years the rise in childhood obesity has led to various medical issues in our children that were not a problem in decades of the past. With rising diabetes, blood pressure and now asthma diagnosis being seen in children more questions have been … [Read more...]

Childhood Obesity: Kids are Not Fit – Blame the Parents?

Really? I read this in the paper this morning: "if kids are not fit, blame the parents." As if parents don’t have enough on their plates to be blamed for. I hate (and note the word Hate) to blame others, especially parents. I think every parent on this planet is doing their best to educate their children. What they need is help and support from others, not blaming because kids … [Read more...]

High Cholesterol in Kids Not Just Caused by Childhood Obesity

Surprisingly, it turns out that even though childhood obesity is the biggest risk faster, many kids have high cholesterol, even if they are at a healthy weight. A study out of Texas found that one out of every three kids ages 9-11 had high cholesterol. 35% of the kids studied who had a healthy weight still had high cholesterol, while 41% of the obese children had borderline or … [Read more...]

First Lady is Kicking Childhood Obesity Program into High Gear

Just about every First Lady throughout at least recent history came into the White House with a cause. For Michelle Obama, that cause is fighting childhood obesity. As major advocates for prevention ourselves, we've been keeping up with the First Lady's "Let's Move" campaign. Now that Spring is officially here, both according to the calender and the weather, Michelle Obama is … [Read more...]

Childhood Obesity: Are You One of the Parents in Denial?

Childhood obesity  is on the rise, but do parents notice? They don't seem to be concerned, and many are in denial. According to a recent study at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, half of all parents think their overweight or obese children are in the normal weight range. So, why do parents have a skewed vision of reality? Do all parents see their own children with … [Read more...]

Ballet Dancing: Old-Fashioned or Great Way to Prevent Childhood Obesity?

We're trying to decide if ballet dancing is too old-fashioned or if it's just a really great way to prevent childhood obesity. Check out our thoughts and tell us what you think!My daughter has been doing ballet dancing for 3 years.  I have never done ballet dancing in my life so I why did I sign her up in the first place then? Well because a friend recommended this … [Read more...]

Ice skating: A Fun Way to Fight Childhood Obesity for your Future Olympian

Looking for a great way to get your kids in the spirit of the Winter Olympics 2014 AND prevent childhood obesity? Ice skating is the perfect way to do both! Check out our tips on how to help your child develop a love for this fun Winter Olympics 2014 activity.You have two alternatives for cold Canadian winter: either whine about it and stay at home or embrace it and go out … [Read more...]

Childhood Obesity: Your Guide to Prevention & Understanding

Preventing childhood obesity is something that we feel very strongly about at OurFamilyWorld. For one thing, healthy kids tend to lead to healthier lives overall. We all want our kids to have the best future possible! For another, children who are overweight tend to be bullied more often. As you may know, we are incredibly dedicated to helping stop bullying. We've created this … [Read more...]

Prevent Childhood Obesity: Keep Kids from Overeating During the Holidays

Cookies, candies, cakes and more! Plum pudding, roast turkey and treats galore! Trying to prevent childhood obesity during the holidays becomes quite a chore!Okay, bad poetry aside, this is by far the roughest time of the year to prevent childhood obesity. Some would say Halloween is the hardest, but honestly, that's just one day. The holidays last more than a month. That's … [Read more...]

Should Fast Food be Banned from School Zones to Prevent Childhood Obesity?

As I was doing my weekly search of the news to keep up with childhood obesity prevention, I came across an article that talked about how Austin, Texas is establishing healthier school-zones by banning fast food restaurants from that area. The ordinance hasn’t passed yet. Honestly, I don’t see how it can be passed. See, banning fast-food chains from areas around schools isn’t … [Read more...]

Fad Diets are NOT the Way to Go According to Childhood Obesity Expert

Last week, OurFamilyWorld had the chance to pick the brain of a renowned expert in childhood obesity. Dr. Dyan Hes, Medical Director at Gramercy Pediatrics, shared her thoughts about the dangers of fad diets. With so many new "hot" diets cropping up every other day, I did wonder what effect these fads would have on growing children. We're thankful for the time she took to give … [Read more...]

Childhood Obesity Role Models: Should Athletes Endorse Junk Food?

When it comes to fighting childhood obesity, many parents and organizations point to athletes are great role models for exercise. We tell kids “eat healthy and exercise regularly, and you could be the next LeBron James or Peyton Manning!” After all, who better to convince kids about the benefits of sports and staying active than a super-star athlete pulling down seven to eight … [Read more...]

FitNFlash Cards Help Combat Childhood Obesity While Encouraging Learning

Disclosure: This post is brought to you by FitNFlash. All opinions are mine If you want to help combat childhood obesity, you have to make it fun! We received these really cool flash cards for review to check out how FitNFlash can help keep kids active in both mind and body.FitNFlash flashcards are a whole new way to help get kids active. Designed to be used during mini … [Read more...]

Outdoor Fall Fitness Activities for Kids to Prevent Childhood Obesity

Looking for a great way to stay fit this fall and help prevent childhood obesity? Just head outdoors! It's really that simple!Fall is a great time to be outside. The sweltering hot summer days are behind us and the frigid cold temperatures having yet arrived. The leaves are changing colors and the air is crisp. Unless you're dealing with seasonal allergies, going outdoors … [Read more...]

Childhood Obesity will Destroy Your Kid’s Health Now and Later

Want to set your child up for a lifetime of health problems? Childhood obesity is one of the easiest ways to do it! I highly doubt anyone answered “yes” to that question. At least I really hope no one did! The thing is, if you’re letting childhood obesity become a problem now, you’re practically giving the green light to all sorts of future medical conditions. Everything from … [Read more...]

Hidden Dangers of Using Weight Report Cards to Prevent Childhood Obesity

With back to school season just kicking off, it’s a good time to look at how your child’s school handles weight report cards and childhood obesity.That first report card is still several months off, but it you want to enact change in the school, the time to start is now. While some parents view the weight report cards as a great way to keep up with their child’s … [Read more...]

Read Labels to Prevent Childhood Obesity During Back to School Season

Guess what? Reading labels can help prevent childhood obesity! Shocked? I didn’t think so. It seems completely obvious, doesn’t it?Yet it took a team of scientists from two separate universities to validate what we already knew. Sarcasm aside, reading labels really is a great way to help prevent childhood obesity, especially during the back to school season. Between … [Read more...]

Fun Family Activities to Fight Childhood Obesity

Summer is here and with the warm weather and the kids being out of school, you might be wondering what family fitness activities you can do to keep the kids active. Childhood obesity  is on the rise, despite awareness and education. Staying physically active is more important than ever. By participating as a family, your children will develop habits that will last a … [Read more...]

Does Homework Contribute to Childhood Obesity?

Childhood obesity is a major concern in many parts of the world. Finding ways to help prevent it requires a little creativity and a lot of reexamining the way we've always done things. I recently read a really interesting article about French President François Hollande banning homework in France. His reasons were for educational purposes rather than reasons related to … [Read more...]

Healthy School Snacks Can Prevent Childhood Obesity

Concerned parents spend a lot of time thinking about ways they can help prevent childhood obesity from becoming an issue with their kids. They limit video games, look for family fitness activities to do together, and try to get their kids up and moving as much as possible. Most parents also limit the amount of junk food their kids eat at home and try to serve as many health … [Read more...]

Can the Risk of Childhood Obesity Be Predicted at Birth?

According to a study published in New Scientist, researchers believe that they may be able to predict the risk of childhood obesity the moment your baby emerges from the womb. The researchers looked at data from over 4,000 children born in Finland in 1986. They compared birth weight, mother’s weight, and other risk factors. From there, they developed their own algorithm and … [Read more...]

The Impact of Income on Childhood Obesity

Does the income level of a neighborhood have an effect on the rate of childhood obesity in that area? According to recent study, it just might. Researchers at Rice University recently completely a study involving over 17,000 subjects and determined that kids living in low-income neighborhoods may be more likely to develop childhood obesity. The team of researchers looked at … [Read more...]

Breastfeeding May Reduce Risk of Childhood Obesity

While breastfeeding advocates have long touted the benefits of breastfeeding as a way to help keep pounds off the mother later in life, new evidence indicates that it may also help prevent childhood obesity. While the benefits of breastfeeding for a newborn alone are enough to persuade women to make that choice when feasible, knowing that it can prevent both childhood obesity … [Read more...]

Help Combat Childhood Obesity with Eat To Win

Combating childhood obesity is a challenge that falls on both the parents and the children. A little education about the right food choices can  go a long way to building a lifetime of healthy eating habits, and kids respond better when the learning is fun. The Eat to Win Board Game not only educates children about weight-loss and healthy eating, it does it in an … [Read more...]

Letting Your Child Sleep with You May Prevent Childhood Obesity

A surprising study performed by the Research Unit for Dietary Studies in the Institute of Preventive Medicine at Copenhagen University in Denmark found that children who are allowed to crawl into bed with their parents may be at a lower risk of developing childhood obesity. The surprising part of the study is that, originally, researchers were trying to determine if the … [Read more...]

The Link Between Stress and Childhood Obesity

Stress is a part of life for adults. Even before the economy crumbled and a good portion of the world found themselves out of work, we always managed to find something to be stressed out about. Unfortunately, it has also become a larger part of our children’s lives as well. Between conflicts and worries at home, a full work load at school, and issues with peers, kids are more … [Read more...]

Study Shows Obese Kids Get Bullied More Often

Is it true that bullies pick on overweight kids more than others?  Yes.  A study conducted by the University of Michigan and reported in 2010  indicates that obese children were 65% more likely to be bullied than their counterparts in normal weight range; for overweight children the percentage was 13%.  This shouldn’t surprise anyone who remembers the bullies they personally … [Read more...]

The Facts on Childhood Obesity

 Childhood Obesity has practically become an epidemic in developed nations, with the CDC reporting that it has tripled over the last 30 years. In the United States, approximately 20% of children between the ages of 6-11 are considered obese. Keep in mind that obesity is much more than just being a little overweight, it is being significantly overweight, and can lead to … [Read more...]

Book Review: Maggie Goes On a Diet

Author: Paul M. Kramer  Illustrated by: Mari KuwayamaDiet! Diet! Diet! Not another book on diets. It’s a book for kids about dieting. As drastic as that sounds, the concept is right on target. One out of three kids in the United States is considered obese or overweight. Canada fairs a tad better with one in four children considered obese or overweight. … [Read more...]

Personal Trainers – How You Can Help Fight Childhood Obesity

Unfortunately, the childhood obesity rate in the U.S. continues to grow. There are a number of reasons for this, and modern society and technology seem to have contributed to this sad epidemic. Whether it’s fast food, video games, or a lack of physical education classes in today’s schools, the problem will only grow worse if nothing is done about it. READ … [Read more...]

How Personal Trainers Can Fight Childhood Obesity

Unfortunately, the childhood obesity rate in the U.S. continues to grow. There are a number of reasons for this, and modern society and technology seem to have contributed to this sad epidemic. Whether it’s fast food, video games, or a lack of physical education classes in today’s schools, the problem will only grow worse if nothing is done about it.As a Certified Personal … [Read more...]

The Problem of Childhood Obesity

According to the Center for Disease Control, the problem of childhood obesity has increased to nearly epidemic proportions. In the last twenty years there has been an alarming increase in the numbers of states with a serious childhood obesity problem, and this trend seems to be affecting ever younger children. If you are mom to an overweight child, you worry that habits … [Read more...]