| Obesity |  cellspacing="2"
 Brianna Pascal (left), new member of the family, and big brother, Keesan Pascal (right). Picture of Good Health Good Nutrition is a Family Affair The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Surgeon General of the United States have declared obesity a national epidemic. The numbers of people who are classified as overweight or obese in this country are staggering. According to government reports, children are at extreme risk, not just for obesity, but also for diseases like type 2 diabetes. Until recently, this was an adult-onset disease. But as the number of obese children increases, so does the incidence of type 2 diabetes in children. The CDC predicts that if this trend continues, one in three children born in the year 2000 will develop type 2 diabetes sometime in their lifetime. This is a wakeup call. It is time to take a serious look at what we are eating, and more importantly, what kinds of eating habits our children are developing. Children need and deserve a healthy start. That means teaching them to make healthy food choices early in life. It also means allowing them to get regular physical activity, and setting a good example. Can your child count on you? Today's child-feeding tip: Keep lots of fresh fruits on hand for kids to nibble on. Get more for your money by buying fruits in season. |