boxes from their children’s diets. Water and unsweetened seltzer water are great alternatives.” Palmer notes that many eating patterns


are set before a child turns 3, so limiting all sugary drinks, including juices, is an important component of teaching young children healthier eating habits that will last a lifetime. Studies suggest a strong link between


obese children and obese adults, so for parents concerned that their child’s cute baby fat has turned into something more, the time to act is now.


Amber Lanier Nagle is a freelance writer in Northwest Georgia (AmberNagle.com).


Media Promote Junk Food


by Amber Lanier Nagle S


econdary causes of childhood obesity include pervasive junk food marketing. A recent study in Obesity Reviews showed that young people exposed to advertising for foods and


beverages high in fat, sugar and salt had a higher incidence of selecting the advertised products instead of healthier options. Parents can use simple strategies to limit their kids’ exposure to this mesmerizing infl uence.


1


Reduce Screen Time—Decrease the amount of time children spend viewing TV, computers, tablets and smartphones.


2 3


Teach Kids About Advertising—Watch some ads with children. Talk to them


about misleading messaging, underscoring how most advertisers’ intentions aren’t in the audience’s best interests.


Fast Forward T rough Commercials— Take control and bypass ads using a


DVR player or streaming service; mute the TV during ads.


Primary source: WebMD.com January 2018 25


Olesia Bilkei/Shutterstock.com


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40