How to help your children stay slim

Press, 13 February 1986, Page 16

How to help your children stay slim

When children are at school, many parents are concerned about their control — or lack of it — over their children’s lunchtime eating habits. How many school lunches end up in the rubbish bin, or get swapped for sweets or chocolate? With this in mind, Wendy Brown of Weight Watchers suggests parents encourage their children to be actively involved in planning and preparing what goes into their lunch boxes. She suggests taking the child with you to the supermarket to assist in selecting and purchasing the foods that will make up the school lunch. "With the youngster’s active involvement, there is a much better chance of the lunch being consumed,” she believes. It will also help children learn sensible eating habits that will stand them in good stead as adults.

According to Weight Watchers, 80 per cent of overweight babies remain overweight for the rest of their lives. However, Wendy Brown warns that weight control in a growing child is a serious business. “If you fear your child is already over normal weight, see your

doctor for sound advice on diet,” she suggests. There are several steps parents can take to help their children succeed at staying at an ideal weight. “With genuine support from a concerned and informed parent, young people can learn early and lasting lessons about good eating habits,” she says. “Providing a nutritious and interesting school lunch is one way parents can help their children grow up healthy and slim.”

A child needs not only a well-balanced meal but a visually appetising one. “This can easily be accomplished by keeping in mind the various food groups from whcih choices can be made,” she says. “Encourage the child to make selections from fruits and vegetables, whole grain breads and cereals, fish and poultry, legumes, eggs and cheese, milk and dairy products and fats of vegetable origin. These foods all add up to sound nutritional choices.”

A child’s energy needs must also be considered, she advises. “If your child is overweight, then an appropriate calorie-con-trolled 1 lunch, including

fresh fruits for dessert and attractively prepared and presented vegetable snacks should be developed.” During the summer, parents also need to be aware of the danger of foods spoiling while sitting in a school bag. She advises avoiding eggs and mayonnaise-based foods during hot weater, since the heat could bring about a change in these foods that could be the cause of serious stomach upsets. “Training young people to understand the importance of good nutrition is not easy,” Wendy Brown acknowledges, “but it's a job that both parents and teachers should be aware of.

"Too often a parent will buy the new clothes, books and pencils but is inclined to put less emphasis on a child’s food, an ingredient that has a vital effect on performance during the school year — and a lifetime.” She suggests that if parents have any questions about the composition of school lunches or need ideas, they should call their local Health Department or telephone Jhe “Dial a Dietician” service, Christchurch 793-381.