Avoiding Obesity In Your Family

We've all heard the statistics over the years on the increase in obesity. As soon as a new study is released, the papers are all over the issue pointing out the terrible future that awaits our children. It seems to me sometimes that there is an assumption that all children do no sport of any kind, are incurably lazy, addicted to screen of moving pictures and only eat sweets and junk food.

I know that not to be true, but rarely do you see a sensible article on how to not become obese. Very many of us were brought up with healthy attitudes to food, we have a certain amount of common sense and care about what we eat and about our health in general. But there are others who don't live like that. Some would like to but find it hard. Some are misinformed, believing healthy eating to be out of their price range. Others simply don't care. 

That is why we need to get the message out there that avoiding obesity is relatively easy. It is a matter of paying attention to what and how much you and your family eat. Treats should remain treats. Portions should be satisfying, not stuffing you to bursting. Drinks should quench thirst, not be a further source of sugar. Regardless of the weather, time should be spent outdoors daily.  It doesn't cost the earth to change your lifestyle a little. In fact it may cost less than eating badly. Walking costs nothing and eating healthily doesn't mean you should only buy organic, if you ask me. 

Living a healthy, balanced lifestyle is something I am an advocate of and that is why I was delighted to contribute to this article in the Irish Examiner which looks at why Ireland is forecast to become Europe's most obese nation by 2030. Have a read and see if you need to change your lifestyle a bit.