Expert Advice for GradeSchool
My Grade School aged daughter has become obsessed with food. She wants to eat much too frequently and primarily un-healthy snacks. If I allow her to pack her lunch for school, she takes 100 more than she needs. Also, I have been finding her sneaking foods. She is slightly overweight and I don't want her to become obese. But, I don't want her to go the other direction and develop an opposite eating problem. What should I do?
- Pat, Berrien Center, MI
Jeff Winckler, Educator, Father, says:
Healthy habits about diet and excise begin when a person is young. It's very important for school age children to learn how to apply portion control and eat in moderation, as well as understand the value of exercise. A school aged child is never too young for you to sit down and have a real conversation about eating too much and/or the wrong foods and their long term health impact. After you talk, it's time to back it up by modeling and monitoring. Having your child exercise regularly is also a good next step.