Why Should Parents Limit a Child’s Junk Food?
Salty, sweet, gooey, crunchy - everywhere you turn, advertisers successfully bombard children with the message that junk food is fun. From commercials on television to the aisles of the supermarket, high-calorie foods with dazzling displays entice children to jump on the salty-sugary bandwagon.
So here is a message to parents: as your children are constantly inundated with these messages, make sure that you are educated as to how these processed junk foods affect a child’s health. Food is the fuel that energizes their bodies, and the kind of “fuel” they consume can have short term as well as long term consequences.
Illustrating the significant consequences of NOT limiting junk food in a child’s diet, a recent study conducted by the JAMA network charts the risk factors posed to children from eating processed junk foods. Their study of preschool children between the ages of 3-6 discovered that a high intake of junk food contributed to high body mass indexes, larger waist circumferences, and elevated fasting glucose levels. The conclusion of the study determined that children who consume processed junk foods are at a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
To help make this overwhelming topic a little easier to “chew” this article will focus on four important reasons that parents should consider monitoring their children’s junk food intake and a few helpful tips to get started.
4 REASONS PARENTS SHOULD LIMIT THE AMOUNT OF JUNK FOOD THEIR KIDS EAT
Risk of Childhood Obesity
Junk food contributes significantly to childhood obesity. Highly processed junk food contains higher amounts of sodium, energy, fat, and sugar as well as lower amounts of fiber than fresh, healthy food choices. These high-calorie, nutrient-poor foods lead to overeating and weight gain.
Lower Academic Performance
Nutrition is key to brain development. Diets high in processed food can actually impair cognitive function, memory and academic performance. Studies show a direct link between frequent consumption of fast food and lower test scores in reading and mathematics.
Long-Term Health Risks
Early habits of eating junk food too regularly can lead to lifelong struggles with making healthy nutritious choices. These bad habits can cause the earlier onset of chronic diseases in adulthood, such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. Childhood obesity has also been linked to type 3 diabetes and certain types of cancers developing in adulthood.
Poor Mental Health
Children who eat a lot of junk food can experience effects on their moods and energy levels. High sugar and fat in junk food can cause mood swings, anxiety, depression, and even aggression. A healthy, balanced diet is important for helping children maintain mental health and emotional well-being.
HOW CAN PARENTS ENCOURAGE HEALTHIER EATING HABITS?
Parenting AND eating healthy can be a challenge. Knowing the challenges, we want parents to feel empowered in healthy living and have the resources necessary to introduce and establish good eating habits for their children. To help get you started, follow the tips listed below and then remember to take advantage of all the benefits offered through Aspire Family Medical’s healthcare program. Not a member yet? Discover the benefits of direct primary care and get started today!
Tip #1: Teach Your Child About Healthy Food
To instill healthy eating habits in your children, start as early as possible teaching about healthy foods. As you introduce new fruits and vegetables, share with your child what makes them healthy and how nutrient-rich foods help fuel the body. For example, carrots are good for your eyes. Milk and cheese provide calcium to build strong bones and teeth.
You can also share how some foods are not very nutritious and do not help your body grow. Help your children understand that nutrition-poor foods should only be enjoyed sometimes, such as cake at a birthday party.
Tip #2: Let Your Child Help with Grocery Shopping
Involve your child in selecting and even preparing healthy foods. Participating in the process helps children learn the importance of healthy choices and develop the skills to make these healthy choices for themselves. Help your child read food labels when grocery shopping and teach them to compare foods to decide which is the healthiest option. Look at the ingredients list together and point out whole food ingredients versus artificial ones. Learning together will empower your child and make him or her more confident about making good food choices.
Tip #3: Keep Your Child Well Hydrated
Many times thirst is confused with hunger. Children may rush to eat junk food when all they really need is a nice glass of water. Encourage your child to drink a glass of water first when they ask for a snack. Drinking water before meals is a great way to reduce food cravings and may reduce their appetite as well.
Tip #4: Model Healthy Habits
The best way to encourage and motivate your children to eat healthy is to model these healthy habits yourself each day. Positive modeling is a very effective way to encourage healthy habits. Instead of focusing on the negative side effects of junk food and preventing your children’s access, focus on the positive benefits of healthy foods and have fun discovering healthy snacks, recipes and new fruits and vegetables together.
Nurse Practitioner, Kerstin Gillespie, cares about the future health of you and your children. Schedule a physical today to learn more about your family's health status. As part of an Aspire Family Medical membership, members are provided an annual health and wellness physical as well as access to Wellness Classes such as nutrition. At Aspire Family Medical, a direct primary care clinic in Liberty Hill, TX, our team of medical professionals is truly dedicated to personalized healthcare and empowering families with the tools needed for a healthy, thriving life.
Additional Information: https://www.forbes.com/sites/jessepines/2024/07/13/4-reasons-parents-should-reconsider-feeding-junk-food-to-kids/
Kerstin Gillespie, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, Founder of Aspire Family Medical
Kerstin’s provides Direct Primary Care at Aspire Family Medical. Her goal is to help her patients improve their wellness and health literacy, so that they are making informed decisions about their care. She loves getting to know her patients and aspires to treat them just like her family.