Healthy Kids: Eating Habits

Author: WINK NEWS
Published: Updated:

FORT MYERS, Fla. – Children and their eating habits have been in the news this week.

Dr. Annette St. Pierre-MacKoul stopped WINK News This Morning to discuss this and more.

Eating Habits:

Overweight parents and children limit their food intake.
Normal weight parents and children put pressure on kids to eat more.
Pushing nor restricting food is not a good idea.
Leads to eating disorders / behaviors like bingeing or purging.
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Results:

Make sure to offer a variety of healthy options.
Let your child decide how much to eat.
Continue to offer previously refused foods.
Encourage healthy life choices including food.
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U.S. Kids Growing Fatter Than Canadian Kids:

US:  17.9% kids ages 3-19 are obese.
Canada:  13 % kids ages 3-19 are obese.
Concern:  obese children become obese adults.
Leads to heart disease,diabetes, HBP, high cholesterol.
Social isolation and bully victims.
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Results:

Similar languages and culture – why?
Eating patterns differ – US eats out more.
Portion sizes – Canadians have smaller portions.
TV’s in the bedroom – yes in the US, no in Canada.
Environment affects obesity risks.
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More Produce in Trash Since New School Lunch Rules:

1500 children studied
40-60% of students qualified for free or reduced-cost lunch.
USDA lunch program went into effect in 2012,
Lunch requirement:  one fruit and one vegetable.
35% of children throw away their fruit or vegetable.
New approach:  dipping sauces / slicing fruits

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