There are many dangers of childhood obesity, including diabetes, coronary heart disease, cardiovascular disease, as well as many others. There are many reasons for childhood obesity, including improper diet, lack of exercise, glandular problems, and changing hormone levels.

Many of the dangers of childhood obesity can be prevented. Some things are obvious, like not having enough activity, or eating junk foods. Also, talk to a health care professional to see if there isn’t some underlying problem, which may be corrected with the right medication. If this is the case, your child may grow out of the need to take it.

Sometimes parents are not even aware of the dangers of childhood obesity, because they were never taught about it. Sure, every one has at one time or another learned about all of the food groups, how much of each we should have, and things to avoid. There are many perfect examples of what kinds of foods go in each grouping, meat, fish, poultry in the protein group, etc. This isn’t the problem. What many of these posters and resources don’t include is how to eat these foods for maximum benefit.

Kids often learn by example. If adults and parents are overweight, have bad eating habits, poor or no exercise routines, how are kids going to get fit? The first step in beating the dangers of childhood obesity is at home. Parents need to get educated on the benefits of eating right. You don’t have to go on a diet, but you do need to change your diet.

Instead of taking the family out to your favorite fast food restaurant for breakfast, get the family involved in making breakfast at home. Not only will you be able to add more healthy ingredients, like whole wheat pancakes, or reduced calorie sausage and bacon, you will save money.

Reduce the risk of childhood obesity by changing snack habits and options. Never let your kids snack before bed time, and instead of letting them snack on heavily processed foods like potato chips, try dehydrated apple crisps or rice cakes instead.

Change doesn’t happen overnight, and if you and your family have spent years eating poorly, it’s going to be hard to change old habits. One of the ways to start down a road to better overall health is to sit down with your family and talk about it. If the family can make a commitment to change, it will be much easier. If you have too, start off small, change one thing per week, whatever it takes.