This is a great article, but how do you get parents to make the necessary changes for their kids, when they won't do it for themselves?! I would also venture to guess that most of the folks reading this right now are NOT the ones who need to be reading it (i.e the few, the proud, and the getting healthy). This is such a frustrating topic.   I can't even walk through the grocery store without seeing some family with obese kids and a cart loaded with junk food (I live in Huntington, WV btw..google it, we're top on the list for unhealthiest place to live - GO US!).  I almost wish I had the guts to stop them and ask whether they really understand what they are doing to their kids by "teaching" them to eat this way.  I know Michelle Obama has taken this (childhood obesity and food choices) on as part of her "agenda" and I hope she makes some ground on it because something certainly needs to be done.  But at the same time, why do we all sit around and wait for common sense healthy eating habbits to beome a government regulation! Come on people...WAKE UP AND SMELL THE  VEGGIES AND WHOLE GRAIN!!!...stepping down off soap box now......

It is really difficult to get kids to eat good foods.  As parents it is our obligation to make healthy choices for them.  If the only available options were whole grains, veggies, fruits, etc, it wouldn't be so hard, but like the person posted before me the grocery store is filled with junk that contains high fructose corn syrup, trans-fats, preservatives, and dyes, and these are the things that usually come in the pretty boxes with cartoon characters on them, what kid is going to choose something healthy like some natural spinach or an apple over that?  American culture is to blame, our priorities and values are pretty off.  We choose convenience over health.  Also, many parents have such a hard time saying "no" to their children, they can bear to see them unhappy in the short-term.  Parents need to start thinking of the long term consequences of their children's food choices.  While my child does eat "pizza, mac & cheese, hot dogs and chicken nuggets" I like to add broccoli to the mac and cheese, use whole grain rolls for hot dogs, and use bell and evans natural chicken. It's really all about modifying what they like and making it healthier plus not giving in to their natural desire to eat junk food given our culture.  Healthy snacks like Smartfood popcorn, apple and peanut butter, carrots and ranch dressing are also some ways to get good fiber and nutrients into your kids.  It is really hard but it's time for parents to get creative!!

I don't have kids but if/when I do they WILL be eating healthy foods for snacks. I mean, I won't deny them of treats, but there certainly is gonna be a very limited amount of them in my house - if only for the purpose of me not being able to eat them. LOL

I do agree with rbrain, you can't go to any store and NOT see kids and a cart full of healthy food together. It's like junk food and kids are a package deal. lol Sad, but true. We have the power to change that. It all starts from when they're too little to know any better, we gotta instill the healthy habits pretty much as soon as they're born.

Shop around the outside isles of the store only, and maybe grab some organic crackers, or flatbread etc...leave the kids at home if you can, cause they will want, want want! We all want whats best for our kids dont we? Lets teach them to eat right as well as do good in school, and be a good person

Lol, rbrain, I'm not even as miltant as some others (I give my kid mac & cheese and chicken nuggets once a week), but I have found myself biting my tongue on more than one occasion. There is a serious lack of common sense in a lot of people! Just the other day, riding the bus, I watched someone giving Cheetos and orange soda to a toddler! My kid was eating raisins and drinking milk at the time and I just thought, well, at least I'm doing much better than those people are!

I have a 14 month old.  In response to "It is really difficult to get kids to eat good foods"...if it is not in the house, they can not eat it.  In addition, there is a cookbook out by Jerry Seinfeld's wife (I can't remember the name of it off hand) that has recipes for us to make for our children that has vegetables and fruits hidden in the recipes and the children don't even realize that they are in there. pretty cool I think!

I'm with rbrain98, who writes: "This is a great article, but how do you get parents to make the necessary changes for their kids, when they won't do it for themselves?!"

I think the problem here isn't that kids are inherently hard to feed.  If they were, our species would've disappeared a long time ago.  The problem is that, for better or worse, we (in the States, anyway) have built up a culture that 'knows' more about nutrition than earlier generations ever dreamed, but has no idea how to put that knowledge into day-to-day practice. 

We've been taught to focus on individual nutrients -- so when a cereal company puts 'NOW WITH MORE WHOLE GRAINS!!!!' on a package of Chocolatey Sugar Bombs, I'd guess that many parents (some of whom may have neither the time or the skill set required to arrive at better-informed decisions) breathe a sigh of relief, buy the Sugar Bombs, and rest easy believing they really have made a good choice for their kids.  Likewise, a great many of us haven't been taught from a young age to listen with a critical ear to messages like, "Part of this complete breakfast with toast, milk, eggs, and juice."  (Umm ... don't toast, milk, eggs, and juice comprise a complete breakfast without Sugar Bombs???)

Couple this with a work culture that embraces workoholism, nearly always underpays many of its hardest workers while grossly overpaying a few at the top, and looks askance at any worker who stands his or her ground where family time is concerned ("Joan, we carefully considered both you and Jane for the promotion.  We have decided to offer the position to Jane, in light of her broader availability for overtime and travel."), and the result is an country that wouldn't know how to choose healthful ingredients or cook healthful meals even if there was ever enough time to do either.

To make matters worse, my generation isn't the first to grow up thinking that bottle-feeding and bottled 'baby food' are both normative and superior to their less-processed predecessors (breast-milk and, Heaven forbid, home-made strained peas!).

I predict without qualification that until we all start eating better, rethink our culture of whirlwind time commitments and prepackaged 'convenience' foods, and put some steps in place to help struggling families find their feet, the obesity epidemic in America and, to a lesser extent, her fellow Western nations will continue unabated.

Unfortunately, much of the time, I fear that means the obesity epidemic will never end at all.

Oh -- one more thing.

I found it awfully interesting that this study, financed by Nestle -- one of the world's major producers of 'baby formula' -- operates on the assumption that formula-fed babies are the norm.

I'm not a nursing Nazi, but jeez.

I am a mother of 2, a 12 yr. old and a 4 yr. old. With the 12 year old I was an inexperienced first time mom, not eating that well myself, and treated my son with all the wrong foods. It has taken a toll on his health and several years later, my 4 yr. old has benefited from my food  changes, as has my 12 yr. old, but I am afraid the damage has already been done. He suffers with asthma, has a large amount of stored belly fat, and I worry about him! He does exercise, being a black belt in Tae Kwon Do...but I thought the extra weight would have come off by now....His meals are now balanced, NOT FAST FOOD, and portion controlled, but I'm not sure what else to do.Anyone out there with similar stories? I've had people say- oh when he reaches puberty, he'll shoot up and lose that weight....I'm not so sure! A mother whose conscience bothers her....

I'm a single mom and have always taken the kiddo to the grocery store. it can be difficult but i believe that modelling good choices wins over the hassle factor. most grocery stores will give samples and talk food with you if you ask. my son chooses something he's never had and then we ask the produce person to show us how to eat and prepare it. when we get home he wants to do the work to taste it. not always a success, but an adventure.

he takes responsibility for his choices in treats as well. now that he's 10 i don't need to encourage him to make good choices very often. if he returns from a party he'll ask for a big bowl of spinach to balance it out. he also helps to choose and prepare a variety of what we call "fast food": quiche, grapes, nonfat yogurt, etc. to keep on hand when you are late for school or practice.

it's about modelling, even when it's hard. especially when it's hard. he has seen me walk his whole life so he will say "it's just a few blocks, mom, we should walk there". i may not be the thinnest, healthiest mom i can be but i'm trying. my son and i inspire each other to be better human beings.

I don't exactly have kids (I'm 18) but my mom was successful at hard-wiring us to eat nutritious food. She just had the power in the house because she cooked the food. I've never had a Pop Tart in my life. When we went grocery shopping and my sister and I would ask to buy the beautifully-packaged candies and whatnot, our mom would adamantly say no (mostly because, gram for gram, they're on the pricey side and not worth the nutrients). We would never have chips or candy around the house, or soda, except on special occasions. We had fruit juice, though, and kid cereals, but my mom made it a rule that we always had to eat enough vegetables at dinnertime (vegetables, or no dessert). She would also always make our lunches and make sure that what went into it was healthy and well-balanced. It's worked, though: Right now in my dorm suite lounge there is a huge bowl of Halloween candy that is disappearing mysteriously. I have only dipped into it twice. 

Granted, it might just be the kid, too. But for the most part, you mom's have the power, especially if you have control in the kitchen. As long as you're aware of what's healthy, you can make good decisions for your kids. And don't be afraid to say no to your kid when it comes to candy. It won't kill them.

While I am not a parent, I am a nanny so I can understand how difficult it is for both kids and caregivers to make healthy choices about foods that will benefit the nutritional needs of both groups.  That being said, I think it's a cop out for people to blame poor choices on the brightly fun-packaged junk foods that we see in the stores.  Of course kids are going to want to eat them over the fruits and veggies, but they're not paying the bills - its that plain and simple.  Kids are always going to throw tantrums and while they may be disappointed and even cry when you walk right past the box of Lucky Charms, they'll thank you 10 years down the road when they don't have diabetes or don't have to sign up for a spot on The Biggest Loser.  

Now this doesn't mean I don't serve less than healthy foods to the kids I look after (that sounded bad but you know what I mean).  They have hot dogs, and chicken nuggets, and mac and cheese, but its all about moderation right?  The hot dogs are served without a bun, and they are turkey dogs.  The chicken nuggets are limited to five and after that if they are still hungry they can have whatever the adults are having. A box of Mac and cheese is always on hand, but we make it maybe once every other month, and use skim milk and butter substitute to decrease the caloric content.  

I think the main trick to get kids to eat fruits and veggies is to treat them almost as if they are not "healthy".  The three year old I watch LOVES red peppers because I told him they are sweet, like a treat.  That got him to take a bite, and he's loved them ever since.  He also has a penchant for ranch dressing, so we allow him to dip (not drench) any veggie he wants in the dressing, and it's been a breeze. He now loves carrots, peppers, broccoli, and sugar snap peas.  

All this being said, I believe the most important thing we can do is exhibit healthy behaviors ourselves.  Kids will mirror what adults do, and if there isn't unhealthy food in the house, than no one can eat it, period. Lead by example and while it may be a rough transition - your kids will fall in line and will hopefully develop habits that will last them a lifetime!

Everyone here is blaming pretty boxes and tv commercials for their children eating unhealthy.  WHAT IS THAT ABOUT???  WHY are the children sitting around watching tv so much????  There are no cereal commercials on PBS, Sprout, Noggin...  My daughter is almost 6 and almost never sees commercials.  Then again, she only sees tv a couple of times a week.

Also, my daughter does not have money to buy groceries with.  The only people to blame here are the parents that give in to their kids' whining and buy the pretty boxes.  Buy some shredded wheat, give them some glitter and glue, and allow them to "pretty up" their healthy choices.  But when children aren't given to option to have junk food, they will eat what they are given.

Take some responsibility.  Take them outside to exercise and turn off the tv. 

When I was a kid my mom just told me that the pizza, chips, and candies in the grocery stores were "party food" and they were just expensive things being sold to people who were having a party - they were not everyday groceries that we were going to buy.

The problem is the kids are more prone to eating good tasting foods over good for you foods. Therefore, if they get a taste of macaroni n cheese, french fries, etc., at an early age, they will learn to like it over the fruits and vegetables. Need to bring them up on the right foods before they will learn to like it.

I have a 20 month old boy and I don't have to worry about this because the only things he likes is fruits and vegetables. I is also a bad thing because he is underweight and I wish he would eat some other things with more calories in them. One night he chose to eat olives over MNMs. Strawberries are his favorite food!!

anang40....love the idea about "dressing up" your healthy cereal box.

I am a teacher and serve snack every day at school. I try and pick from two food groups and limit juice to one itty bitty dixie cup. They get water after their one cup. If they are still hungry they can pick fruit or cheese or yogurt from the fridge. I haven't had any complaints in 4 years. The parents bring in the snacks in bulk. I simply put out a list of acceptable and non-acceptable snacks at the beginning of the year. Most of the time everyone complies.

Too many parents want to be best friends with their kids instead of being a parent. 

Kids mimic their parents; if you eat well, they will eat welll.  If you think your are "fat" and need to diet, then your kids will mimic that and likely have body issues.

This article exposes the frightening reality of what many are doing to our children.  I must express my concern though at the statement "But around 12 months, baby formula gives way to cow's milk, which is great, but isn't packed with nutrients like formula is."  The implication here is at all children in the U.S. in this age range are formula fed.  Maybe that's the problem to begin with.  Babies are meant to be fed human milk, not formula, the latter of which has been linked to all of the maladies also associated with poor eating habits later in life (i.e. obesity, allergies, heart disease, diabetes).  I don't know if that statement was made because Nestle was sponsoring the study and it has one of the largest international shares in infant formula.  The idea that a formula company is sponsoring a study in healthy eating habits for infants and children is quite comical, in fact, since this whole infant-feeding system completely undermines the most instrumental process for developing health eating habits throughout life.  Yikes!

I've always done things "right" when it comes to nutrition, according to this article. As a result, my kids eat healthy food, veggies, fruit, lean meat, skim milk, water, those are our staples. They do occasionally get the junk--company picnics, grandmas house, parties, etc. but at home it's the healthy stuff. They also get a lot of exercise and don't watch much tv.

However, my kids are both overweight at 3 and 5 years old. I think I must have let them eat too much--maybe the portion sizes I gave them were too big? or I let them have seconds too much? I think I fell into the trap of "let them eat as much as they want as long as it's healthy. When they ask for seconds of chicken breast, brocolli and whole grain pasta, I would say ok because its all healthy stuff.

I feel that all the advice is for people with picky eaters. There should also be advice for kids that love to eat.

It's so frustrating. I feel like a bad mom but I've done "everything right".

sokkies

I was always very careful about what sorts of foods my children ate. All natural, no fast foods, and never any sugar.

Then I met my husband- he introduced them to sugar packed cereals and candybars. Thier diets couldnt be worse!  wish I could still persude them to my healthy choices but how can you compete with that?! You could even gauge thier behavior on the amount of sugar intake... Not good...

Thankfully they dont yet have any weight issues to contend with as obesity runs in my family. I struggle with it myself-

Maybe they will see it my way someday.

I had a friend in middle school who claimed her foster mother *abused* her by not giving her junk food. I tried really hard to talk her out fo that ridiculous notion, but to no avail.

Growing up, my mom gave me whole wheat bread only and skim milk. Though one of my favorite meals was macaroni an cheese and fishsticks, I also thoroughly enjoyed brocolli and spinach and never understood the kid on tv who hated vegetables.

I complained to my mom about wanting white bread like the other families had, but my mom said no and that was that. I don't have kids now, but I'm fairly sure my attitude will be the same as with my pets. If they start getting too finicky, the snacks are gone. They can choose to eat their food, or go hungry. Eventually, of course they'll eat their food. My bf's family watched my dog for a week while I was on vacation, and he told me she didn't eat her food the whole time. Of course she wouldn't if you're so concerned about her eating that you will give her anything she seems excited about!

Original Post by: sokkies

I've always done things "right" when it comes to nutrition, according to this article. As a result, my kids eat healthy food, veggies, fruit, lean meat, skim milk, water, those are our staples. They do occasionally get the junk--company picnics, grandmas house, parties, etc. but at home it's the healthy stuff. They also get a lot of exercise and don't watch much tv.

However, my kids are both overweight at 3 and 5 years old. I think I must have let them eat too much--maybe the portion sizes I gave them were too big? or I let them have seconds too much? I think I fell into the trap of "let them eat as much as they want as long as it's healthy. When they ask for seconds of chicken breast, brocolli and whole grain pasta, I would say ok because its all healthy stuff.

I feel that all the advice is for people with picky eaters. There should also be advice for kids that love to eat.

It's so frustrating. I feel like a bad mom but I've done "everything right".

sokkies

Don't feel bad Sookies. You are learning it for yourself now, the whole portion control thing. Your daughters are adorable. They will learn right along with you. And kudos for cooking healthy at least :)

You can't teach what you don't know.

No, No, No.  You are the adult - they are the kids.  You make the decisions from day one.  It takes something like 20 times that a kids has to taste something before they adopt it into their repertoire of things they like.  You keep putting good, nutritious food on the table, the kids will eat it. 

There are no excuses for those who say, "My kids won't eat anything but McDonald's"  Why is that, are they driving the car into the parking lot, wrapping your hands and feet with duct tape, stuffing a sock in your mouth and stealing your purse???

Kids learn from their parents, you eat junk, they will eat junk.  You tell them McDonald's is junk and they will repeat that back to you.  You curse at other drivers - they will curse at other drivers - you throw garbage on the sidewalk, so will they.  Be exactly who you want your kids to be.  No one is perfect, all you can do it try to do your best. 

My six year old explained to me today that commericals are just some big corporation's way of getting you to give them your money.  How does he know this?  Because he heard it from me when he was watching something and some crazy commerical for some horrible fat/sugar/preservative laden cereal came on. 

We need to accept responsibility for our actions and stop allowing corporations, the market, the advertisers, etc. to run our lives.  Only you can educate yourself.  There is so much information available today on nutrition and how to make good healthy food for your family. 

OK, off my soapbox now.

Only one comment on the formula connection?  Despite rampant obesity on all sides of our family, my nuclear family is very fit.  We have the appetites of unhealthy people (we're hungry!!!)   but have modified our lifestyles to accomodate.  My children are adventurous eaters and I attribute that to two years of human milk and a disciplined mommy!!!!!

Nestle needs to research breast fed babies too.

Parents: once you're in control of your diet, you will be better at controlling your kids' diets too.

Good article. Everyone is so different, mind, body and soul. I have had a weight issue since a young child and now I am 53. You need to do what works for you and your individual child. My brothers ate and ate and gained no weight-my teenage friends, milkshakes, fries- yet were slender- I ate the same and gained. I snacked with my mom all the time.  One thing I will say is my friends kids- who were banned from candy, etc. would come to my house and eat the "bad" stuff like they were going to the electric chair. I always have sweets, etc along with good stuff and my kids never devour the "bad" stuff as it is no big deal that we have it in the house.

One thing we cannot do is stuff food into our kids. I watched as a family of obese people just stuffed their little baby girl who looked normal at 6-8 months into an almost 100 lb 5 year old.  It is heartbreaking. They push the clean plate issue and push dessert to the point of "finish your pie crust"!!!!!This child does not have a chance. Now her mother is concerned with her OWN weight, has horrible eating habits, but is on the route of gastric bypass- I guess thinking this is the easy way out. Food is such a nurturing thing- but the one time I said something, like the child is overweight and needs to watch ( she was 1 1/2 yrs old at the time) AND they were stuffing cake in her mouth- the family got indignant and said the doctor said she was fine-  6 months later they said the doctor said that this 2-year-old needed to lose 15 pounds!!!!!!!!!! That never happened. These people are very loving, good people but have a big mental block about the food thing.

I also am a big believer in vitamins- my husband, one son who is still home, and myself take vitamins everyday and have for years.  My son went to day care at 3 months, and has been on maybe one antibiotic in his life, he is 15. My husband and I are healthy at 56 and 53 respectively- very rare doctor visits. I am eternally grateful for this. My son is an athlete and he eats to live- but does not like veggies at all, so the vitamins work for him.

Like I said - whatever works for each individual- is the best thing!

Enjoy your day, everyone!!!

I would NOT feed my children Soy products.  I don't even eat them my self unless they're of the fermented family like Miso, and in small amounts.

For more info:

http://www.westonaprice.org/soy/darkside.html

Also there are hidden sugars, natural or not they're the same, in juices, cereals, granola bars, fruit roll-ups, and other "healthy" things.   Especially juices where they don't get the fiber or protein to slow down the sugar-to-blood stream process.

I have a 2 year old son who hates most veggies, But LOOOOVES juice. So I bought a juicer. And when he doesn't eat his veggies at dinner, I juice a couple of apples and throw in a celery stick and some carrots and he doesn't know the difference:) 

I think one of the watch-fors is making junk food seem like an illicit substance.  You run the risk of kids binging when they do have access to it (I'm not saying all will, just that it's a risk).  To completely ban things seems a little extreme to me...the key is to teach kids how to make good, healthy decisions and ensure moderation.

One of the things I've done since my 2 were very young was buy berries (strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, etc.) for dessert, but set up a whole fun routine for eating them, no different from the thrill of eating ice cream after dinner.  Usually, my husband would have the berries with the girls, which was also special time with dad when he got home from work.  Now, instead of asking for treats after dinner, the girls request berries because they were promoted as a delicious, fun food and not as something that is somehow less attractive than other, sweeter foods.  Sometimes I think it's all in the approach.

Also, I think a huge part of the obesity epidemic is the lack of exercise.  Addressing the food is only one part of the problem.  Kids these days need to be more engaged in free outdoor play.  The amount of time kids spend inside is alarming to me and I think at the heart of so many health issues.  There is a great book called "Last Child in the Woods" that discusses this issue.  It really made me think about the amount of time my kids spend inside and I make a point of having them outside as much as I can, if only to run around in the backyard.  I think the issue is very multi-faceted, so yes, looking at food intake is one component, but teaching about healthy decision-making and getting kids outside are also major pieces of the puzzle.

Anang40 wrote: "Everyone here is blaming pretty boxes and tv commercials for their children eating unhealthy.  WHAT IS THAT ABOUT???  WHY are the children sitting around watching tv so much????..."

Hm -- I don't think I've seen anyone here blaming pretty boxes or TV commercials, or saying that the kids are making choices based on these.  I think most CCers know better than that :D

Ultimately, however for the most part, parents (and, to a lesser extent, schools) provide kids' meals and snacks.  I keep my eyes and ears peeled at the grocery store, and I do see parents making decisions based on words printed on packages -- decisions that may seem informed to them, but which probably wouldn't if they weren't so mired in a morass of conflicting nutritional 'wisdom.' 

Case in point: I have several friends who have had lifelong weight problems and keep asking me how I A) stayed skinny for most of my life and B) have lost all the weight I've lost this year.  I always tell them the same thing: there's no secret; allocate and count calories, increase exercise, try to eat fresh stuff as much as possible (for health more than for weight, but also because fresh foods tend to be more satisfying), and build in some treats here and there.  That's it.

They flat-out refuse to believe it, and keep searching for the equivalent of a 'magic pill -- dropping X or Y food group, swapping out soda for fruit juice (better healthwise, perhaps, but still tons of extra calories), etc., without making overall dietary and lifestyle changes.

I don't blame them -- they, like I, grew up awash in 'nutritional facts' and the crazy diet fads of the past couple of decads.  I was simply lucky to come from a family that made a point of teaching my sister and me to be skeptical of advertising claims, to resist ideas that sound too good to be true, and to enjoy an active lifestyle.

As for the sitting around and watching TV so much point -- I concur.

However, how many kids see their parents getting out and exercising outside, for the sheer joy of it?  How many parents out there are terrified of letting their elementary-school-age and older kids set foot outside alone?

I was lucky to come from a family that enjoyed doing outdoorsy stuff.  It never occurred to me that, say, hiking in the woods or biking around town might be anything less than a blast.

Like so many people here point out, kids live what they learn.  If what they learn is that exercise is an onerous form of drudgery that should be confined to grunting hours in the gym, at the expense of delightful hours in front of the video game console, the computer, or the TV ... well, that's what they'll live.

And when those kids (like my friends) grow up and feel they have to choose between a miserable hour in the gym or an enjoyable hour playing Halo 3,000,000, guess which option will win?

To the parents trying to model good choices and find creative solutions (like the juicer!) every day, I salute you (and, if I ever have kids, I might drop you a line for some tips :D).

Reading all the comments and they're all good stuff, but there are a few of you who are concerned about your children's weight despite having fed them healthily.

Can I just remind those with 'overweight' children, that there is such a thing as puppy fat (which does get lost with puberty, I know, I had it) - it's not all just you're obese or you're not.  If they're healthy and active but a bit podgy then that's probably ok for now. Obviously if they're 'fat' then you're right to be concerned.

And to the lady whose son prefers olives to m&ms - more power to your son! That's fantastic!  Again, if he's healthy and active I would place more emphasis on your judgement as his mom than some government decreed 'norm'. We're all different and the most important thing is health.

Go keep up the good work people :)  

It really bothers me when people refer to obesity as an "epidemic." It's not like an infectious disease. Granted, it is a serious condition to be in, but it's brought on by ignorance and poor choices. We should all know better by now. If the government really wants to change this country, they need to create units on nutrition for small children, preteens, and teens in our public schools. They should go into more detail as the children get older. Drill it into their pretty little heads. The school systems needs to give children the right tools even if their parents won't.

i realize kiddos can carry some extra weight & that they will need it for growth spurts but my 8 year old has little boy boobies! so i worry. i've waited 6 mos . . . 9 mos . . .  thinking that spurt has to be coming soon but it just hasn't. i haven't had a chance to talk to the doc but i will just in case. i was raised in the school of "better safe than sorry" Lol! especially when it comes to my little guy. i'd just hate to look back & realize too late that i should have done something for him & didn't.

I don't have any children of my own, but there is one thing that I plan on when I do concieve.  My husband and I do not deprive ourselves of the occasional candy, chocolate, or other such treat, but that is what we consider it.  A treat.  My husband is more likely to drink two to three sodas a day...  Something I've been trying to get him to do better with. 

But mostly I cook low-sodium, well balanced meals that have at least one protein, one complex carb, and one simple carb.  Typically, everything I work with is lower in fat, anyway; when I do utilize fats, it is in the sense of unsaturated types. 

I refuse to let my pets eat something that I wouldn't feel too bad about eating (such as, what is in the pet food ingredients...).  I won't let my children eat something that I wouldn't normally eat, either.  If the child won't eat...I was raised on the traditional "eat or starve" method, and I certainely ate.

I've been on both sides of this issue.  I breastfed my son for two years, he's healthy as a horse, but when my husband and I aren't eating healthy, we recognize that he's not eating healthy either.  Fast food, processed pre-packaged food, too few fresh whole foods, sweets, etc.  When we're in too much of a hurry to put together healthy meals, we all suffer, and as a result, we've all put on too much weight.

So when I got serious about eating differently, and my husband decided to join me, we started talking it up with our son (he's 6).  We talk about eating organic, whole grains, and vegetables.  I'm a vegan, so most of the time we eat vegan meals, with my husband and son indulging in animal products a couple of times a week.  It has taken some time for my son to get on board with all of this, and there are still times when he asks for fast food and sweets.  My husband and I have learned how to replace preferred foods for acceptable healthier stand-ins, cut down snacking, and compromise occasionally. 

I think that we've finally struck a balance that works.  Now we're all losing some weight and getting more trim, and my son has gotten past a lot of his inhibition about trying new kinds of meals. Initially there was a lot of pushback about eating the meals we cooked from scratch (rather than the ones that came from a box or can), but we're benefitting in more ways than one from sitting down to eat a communal dinner together.

And for dessert, instead of asking for a milkshake, he asks for a berry smoothie!  Last night we went out to eat at a sit-down restaurant and he ate the lettuce garnish that came with the appetizer!  LOL

My point is only that it CAN be difficult, but I agree 100% that it has to be a family effort, and that the parents have to be devoted to their own health if they want their child to have a snowball's chance of being healthy and having good food habits.  A family with kids is in it together.

One thing that IS hard, and it should be something that needs to be kept in mind.

I love my family...  But everybody but my husband and myself eat fast food.  My mother is very fond of the "easy" method by taking my sister out to Sonic or even a McDonald's.  I told her that if I ever have children and she is babysitting, my child is NOT ALLOWED to eat fast food.  EVER. 

You can only hope the family respects you enough to keep up what you are teaching them a.k.a. sodas and those other things are "treats" and not food.

My twins are picky eaters. I'm not. I eat a balanced diet and have protein, vegetables, fruits, and fibers available to them all the time. I prepare their plates with a little of everything on the table and it's their choice whether they want to eat it or not. I've tried the coaxing, the "you won't get any snacks later on," the bribes, everything, but they refuse to eat fruits (except for juice) and vegetables. When they were toddlers they ate everything until I sent them to daycare at age two. They are now five years old and I  capitalize on the  things they DO eat and make sure that they have a multivitamin every day. Their snacks are not sweet candy but instead the crackers, raisins, and peanut butter granola's, and the healthy cereals that they like. They love cheese pizza, and so I prepare in the the most healthy way I can.  They are not overweight and I have hope that some day they will discover the delights of a luscious strawberry or sweetness of corn on the cob. Until then I'll just keep modeling healthy eating habits and say 'NO' to a lot of sweets for them. ("You need to eat growing food" I tell them). All this is to day that sometimes despite our best efforts our kids develop picky eating habits. We just need to be patient and be good role models.

Original Post by: nbu

It really bothers me when people refer to obesity as an "epidemic." It's not like an infectious disease. Granted, it is a serious condition to be in, but it's brought on by ignorance and poor choices. We should all know better by now. If the government really wants to change this country, they need to create units on nutrition for small children, preteens, and teens in our public schools. They should go into more detail as the children get older. Drill it into their pretty little heads. The school systems needs to give children the right tools even if their parents won't.

An epidemic isn't necessarily an infectious disease...it's something that affects large populations quickly and simultaneously...you can have an unemployment epidemic.  I think it's a perfect description for what is happening...this issue is so prevalent and is having such a profound affect on everything from physical health to mental health to demands on the health care system...you name it.  I don't think it can be understated.

I have always taught my kids about nutrition.  Instead of just saying NO, I explain why.  My son is 8 and I send him with my husband to be sure we get the right juice.  The 8 year old corrected my husband when getting cranberry juice.  "No dad, it's cocktail and that means it's got too many sugars and might not be all juice."  When given the choice between a veggie pizza w/o cheese and a regular cheese or pepperoni pizza, they choose veggie with no cheese.

We eat junk from time to time but nothing store bought.  We have family time and make a bunch of cookies or a pie.  We usually make three muffin size pies of whatever we are making and keep those and send the big pie to work with my husband.  Sometimes we make gift baskets for the neighbors.  Same with the cookies.  We eat one from each batch out of the oven and the rest get packaged and sent off.  It is a lot less convenient than just opening a package.  Besides that, they have to help cook and clean up, so if they want a cookie they have to be willing to put forth some effort.  Usually, they want one for a minute and decide they would rather go play or do something else.

If my kids tell me they are so hungry they can't wait for dinner, I make them a salad--or I tell them to do it.  I let them eat full-fat dressings because the rest of their diet is very well balanced.  They eat mashed black beans on toast for snack and raw veggies.

My point is, I let them know there is stuff out there that tastes amazing...like the chocolate chip pumpkin cookies we made today.  It is out there and you can have it--sometimes.   I don't think what we do would work for every family, but I think if more parents were better role models, the kids today wouldn't have the food issues they do.

I think it's highly ironic that Nestle is the author of a study on healthy eating for children. Nestle's infant formula marketing tactics in developing countries were so devoid of ethics (and contributed to the deaths of thousands of infants in those countries) that the United Nations had to step in and develop an international code of ethics for infant formula marketing.

Also, like another person has commented, Nestle makes it sound like infant formula is the norm when most women are capable of breast-feeding.

The Controversy Over Infant Formula (NY Times)

Nestle Boycott

Nestle - Controversy and Criticism

Details Emerge in Tainted Nestle Formula Scandal

I think the silliest thing about this situation ppl are finding themselves in is that KIDS aren't born knowing what a snack food is, my son is happy eating rice cakes because they are crunchy and thats the snacks we have around, if you fill your house with candy and cookies and chips, then thats how they know.

I also dont let my son watch TV at all, so he never sees commercials, I rent dvds for him for the specific reason of not having him be fed a lot of rubbish on the boob tube.

I recently took him to a kids poarty and he ate grapes and oranges and was over the moon he got undiluted juice, you just have to be diligent at the begining, if you give your kids YOUR idea about what is a good snack, you are setting them up for some issues, that is why we are all on a calorie counting site isnt it, weight issues, food issues...

My rant, i just see toomany ppl filling their houses with this crap.

I am over weight, so is my husband but my children are not.  I am working on loosing weight.  I do not have any high sugar, high fat stuff in the house which means that in order to get it you have to go out.  This makes it an effort to get rubbish foods and so you are less likely to do it

I do not like the mentality that it must be one or the other...or that lots of these anecdotes are "all I feed my kids are healthy foods" and "fie on the junk food."

I am not a parent now.  I hope to be at some point and I will raise my children the way I was raised: with balance and moderation.  I will buy unsweetened cereals but if they want a sweet cereal I will let them try it.  I may augment it with sliced up fruit.  Their school lunches will contain a sandwich, a whole fruit and a snack like a bag of chips or a pudding cup.  Etc, etc.

A balanced diet including "junk food" will lead to the most well-adjusted children in my opinion.  They will be healthy and happy and able to belong with the children of "all junk" and children of "all health."

Junk food is not the evil demon it is made out to be unless it is all the child is given to eat.

I don't think we should pass blame around.  Different people have different preconcieved notions of what foods are healthy. For example, my husband is vegan which means he doesn;t consume any animals or animal's milk or byproducts such as dairy foods. He also strongly feels that any type of meat is unhealthy, and any type of milk or milk based product is unhealthy. Obviously, nutritionists have for years told us that milk and lean meat is good for us and  many people believe it. Personally, I'm unsure of what I believe. But I sure don't believe I should speak badly of other parents on this issue. It'd be nice if every parent could set their children up for good health by knowing what "balance" of foods they should present to their children at mealtimes and snacktimes. But, our culture is the bad guy here. The thing we identify ourselves within is the thing eating us up so to speak. If we knew how to erase a chocolate chip cookie from the american culture, who here would do it? Or, if we knew how to erase cake from our american culture, who here would do it? Or,, better yet, if we knew how to erase granulated sugar cane from our memories, mouths, and american culture, who here would do it? I can honestly say I am addicted, and I think even a thinner person than I would say the same thing. It's proven that sugar isn't all that great for us. It feeds our bodies litterally with faster onset to disease such as cancers and diabetes. So, even though I'm addicted to sugary foods even with "balance" our kids and all of us would probably be better off without all this sugary preservative ridden packaged foods being created in the first place.  But getting sugary foods out of all our stores-is that a reality?  I don't think it is. THus, we need to find balance on our own and deal with the fact we are living in a sugary, preservative, chemically made flavor& colors, and hydrogenated oil society.