Preventing Obesity in Children and Teens: A Family Affair

Want to learn more about preventing obesity in children and teens using a family-focused approach? Dr. Daheia Barr-Anderson has spent her career trying to untangle the individual, family and community factors that contribute to overweight and obesity in children and adolescents. An assistant professor in the U of M’s Department of Kinesiology, Daheia has put that research into practice in family-focused interventions, including an innovative mother-daughter intervention with African-American girls and their moms. Tune into Daheia’s interesting and informative conversation with Marti & Erin to learn what matters most and to think about how small changes can lead to big differences in the health of your children and you!   WHAT WILL YOU DO TO PREVENT CHILDHOOD OBESITY? Think about your own family’s patterns of eating and physical activity. What aspects of your lifestyle, your relationships and your neighborhood support or hinder you and your children from maintaining a healthy weight? What small steps could you take to bring about healthy change?   WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT PREVENTING OBESITY IN CHILDREN AND TEENS? CHECK OUT THESE GREAT RESOURCES: ❉  COULD YOUR CHILD BE HEADING TOWARD OBESITY?  A pediatrician from Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota helps us understand how the choices you make can keep your child on the path to health. ❉ THE BENEFITS OF FAMILY MEALS & FIVE TIPS TO MAKE THEM HAPPEN. After your hard work in the kitchen, are your children done eating within five minutes of the food hitting the table and begging to leave? If you can relate, know that you’re not alone. Check out this article on the benefits of family meals and how to make them happen. ❉  WHAT ARE THE THINGS THAT GET IN THE WAY OF MAKING HEALTHY CHOICES FOR YOUR CHILDREN – AND TEACHING THEM TO DO THE SAME? A specialist in pediatric nutrition offers simple tips that can lead to meaningful change in your child’s health and fitness.