Keeping your children healthy

Arab Today sat down with Dr Sharif Zalat, an Obesity Weight Consultant in Egypt to find out the ten steps parents must follow to protect their children from obesity. 1.   Breastfeeding your child. When a mother fails to breastfeed her child for up to two years it can contribute to significant weight gain. 2.   Parents are responsible for providing their children with healthy food. Stay away from fried produce and stick to boiling or grilling. 3.    Give your toddler/child a filling healthy breakfast. Allow them to snack on fresh fruit and juices in between meals. Don’t give children money to buy their own food, they will most likely spend it on sweets containing artificial preservatives. 4.   Encourage children to be active and take part in sports to help maintain a healthy weight. 5.   Sugar and chocolate in particular is the primary reason children have weight problems. Parents must not give it to their children freely, only occasionally as a treat. 6.   Stay away from white bread and opt for brown or whole grain instead when making sandwiches for your children. Make sure the filling contains vegetables, calcium and/or animal protein. 7.   Carbonated drinks are again one of the biggest culprits of childhood obesity. They have no nutritional value and should be avoided. 8.   Prevent your children from eating in front of the television, because we tend to eat more when we are distracted. 9.   Make sure children have a set sleeping pattern. Sleep deprivation can lead to overeating. 10.  Make sure a child is happy and is not suffering from any social pressures. Feelings of depression often results in craving sugary foods to boost our mood.