October 7, 2009

ANNOUNCER:

THE RATE OF SEVERE OBESITY AMONG U.S. CHILDREN AND TEENAGERS HAS MORE THAN TRIPLED OVER THE PAST THREE DECADES, ACCORDING TO A NEW STUDY IN THE JOURNAL, ACADEMIC PEDIATRICS. BUT EFFORTS TO IMPROVE DIETS AND LIFESTYLE HABITS CAN HELP. DR. STEPHEN DANIELS, PEDIATRICIAN-IN-CHIEF AT THE CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL IN DENVER, SAYS THAT PARENTS CAN TAKE AN ACTIVE ROLE IN TEACHING KIDS HOW TO MAKE BETTER FOOD CHOICES. 

DR. STEPHEN DANIELS, PEDIATRICIAN-IN-CHIEF, THE CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL IN DENVER:

“Parents can protect their children from a host of medical problems just by teaching them to eat right. Changing your lifestyle is not simple, but well worth it. At The Children’s Hospital, we teach parents what a proper serving size is for a child, use the size of your child’s palm as a guide. Pack those servings with foods from each food group that your child likes. Get kids involved in choosing the foods they enjoy. And remember that it is much easier for children to learn these habits now versus having to adapt to them later in life.” 

ANNOUNCER:

DR. DANIELS SAYS KIDS ALSO NEED THIRTY TO SIXTY MINUTES OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY A DAY. FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT WWW.THECHILDRENSHOSPITAL.ORG.