Mrs. G’s VIB Event: Healthy Choices, Healthy Children

Today I attended a blogging event sponsored by Mrs. G TV & Appliances in Lawrenceville, New Jersey.  I had the opportunity to meet with fellow bloggers and business professionals while learning about childhood obesity.  The keynote speaker, Pediatrician Dr. Joanna Dolgoff, M.D., wrote the recently-published book, Red Light, Green Light, Eat Right.  The book is a guide for parents and children by coding foods based on the traffic light.

Dr. Dolgoff gave a very interesting presentation, and there are a few key points I’d like to share with you.  Childhood obesity is on the rise.  In fact 1 out of every 3 kids are at risk of medical complications due to an unhealthy weight.  It’s a shocking statistic, and one that we must pay attention to.  This rise causes some forecasters to predict that today’s generation may experience a shorter lifespan than that of their parents.

So why are children becoming obese?  There are several factors including genetics, unhealthy eating, too little activity and more time spent in front of the television/computer/video games to name a few.  Other than emotional effects of being overweight like low self esteem and teasing, obesity takes a toll on all major body systems putting you at risk for medical complications or even death.  Thickening of the arteries has appeared in children as young as five.

If you notice a problem with your child it is important to intervene as soon as possible.  It is much easier to sustain weight loss before puberty, as this is when your “weight set point” is determined.  Apparently, after puberty it is difficult to reset your body’s weight set point which is why most people regain weight lost after dieting.  It takes five years of consistent healthy behaviors to reset your body’s weight set point.  I thought that was very interesting.

Dr. Dolgoff’s eating plan:

• Eat 3 meals and 2 Snacks per day, staying within your allotted “colors”
• Green light foods such as fruits, vegetables and fat free cheese are unlimited
• Yellow light foods should be portion controlled
• Red light, high calorie foods should be limited to two servings per week

The discussion was very informative and helpful to me as someone who is trying to get on the right track myself.  My daughter is just starting to discover the pleasures of eating and I want to instill good habits in her so that she can lead a healthy life.  It was great to hear Dr. Dolgoff speak of her battles over food with her own kids.  I think the greatest tip she shared is that it’s okay to be “the bad guy” every once in a while.  Even though your child may not be happy with your decision to limit junk food, you’re doing the best thing for your child’s sake.  They’ll thank you later.