Myths About Overweight Kids and What You Can Do

As a whole, Americans are overweight by an extreme. Childhood obesity has followed the general trend, reaching what some experts are calling "epidemic levels". About 15% of America's children are overweight and at least 15% more are on the border line, at risk of becoming overweight. At least two-thirds of these children (nearly half of all kids today) will become overweight adults.

The first step is to understand the truth behind the myths we hear. Then, we can take steps to helping our children get - or stay - fit and healthy.

The Myths

Myth #1: I can't help it that my kid's overweight.

Children who need to lose weight receive very little understanding and even less support. Our society teaches on television and in diet ads that people who are overweight are lazy, weak, or self-indulgent. Kids who are overweight are usually seen as the extreme personification of all that's wrong with youth ...

The truth is that children gain weight for a number of reasons. Some may tend to gain excess pounds because it runs in their family, or others haven't learned how to make good choices about types or portion sizes of food.

Where does this start? With parents and other adults. As an adult, I do the grocery shopping. I choose the types of foods that will fill the cupboards and fridge. As a parent, I tell my daughter what she can and can't eat - but generally, there isn't a selection of fattening sweets for her to overindulge on. Portion sizes are no different - many adults put too much food on a child's plate and expect that the meal gets eaten in full.

Fixing Myth #1

Most parents understand that their children need to get enough exercise. What many parents fail to see is that their children can't play enough to work off the calories of a McDonald's diet.

Overeating is so easy to do. No matter where I turn, it seems like my daughter is offered food and drinks that are way too big for her 6-yr-old stomach. And being a kid, she's much more interested in the huge 32 ounce bottle of soda than a small container of milk.