Make sure your child eats five portions of fruit and vegetables a day

The government has new schemes planned to work towards alleviating obesity problems, the School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme entitles all four to six-year-olds in schools to a free piece of fruit or a vegetable each school day. It is hoped to start them with good habits as well as providing nutrition they might not get at home. The National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP) has also been launched to weigh and measure children in Reception (ages 4–5) and Year 6 (ages 10–11) to assess overweight and obesity levels. The anonymous results will support the government’s strategy to tackle obesity, and help decide where resources can be used to the greatest advantage to help children and their families.

Children need lots of energy to support growth but today’s lifestyle means they are not expelling the energy they are consuming. Instilling healthy eating habits now will give them the best start, try getting your children involved in healthy cooking so they become more interested in eating it. It is also vital children get their five a day of fruit and vegetables, try adding extra veg to spaghetti bolognaise or introduce sticks of cucumber or carrot to dip in their favourite sauce.

Get everyone moving!
According to the 2008 NHS obesity survey, three in ten adults had not participated in active sport in the last 12 months. It’s up to you to ensure you and your child exercise; it is crucial for maintaining a healthy weight. Kids need to do something that makes their heart beat faster than usual for at least 60 minutes a day and adults, 30. After school and weekend activity is very important to help in the battle against obesity. Enrol your child in sports teams, athletics or encourage them to try a new hobby to get out of the house and away from the TV. You could enforce a two hour ban on the family sitting down to ensure you all get time on your feet – being up and about burns calories and helps fend off diseases. It may seem easier to let the family veg in front of the television in the evenings but go out for a walk, a bike ride or have a dance around the house; it’s much more fun.

Overweight and obesity health issues are relatively new, in the 1980s it was hardly a topic of discussion, so medical research and treatment are a few steps behind. The epidemic has thrown the government off guard but as obesity threatens the quality and longevity of more and more lives, as individuals we need to take responsibility for our food choices. Arming yourself with as much knowledge as possible, having a high activity level, and making healthy food choices means obesity is without a doubt, a treatable disease.