Friday, August 17, 2012
Gaming Childhood Obesity
Games targeting healthy behaviors are proliferating. A study published in the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine found that children who played a health game were significantly more likely to select and eat healthier foods than kids who played a...
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This column covers some fabulous resources for challenged parents AND they can learn right along with their kids!! I also found in my practice that using a color coding system that mimics red light-green light 1-2-3 works.
Green foods which I also call "yes" foods should be eaten frequently and be part of every meal and snack - the fruits and vegetables.
Yellow foods which are foods that require a bit of caution, also called "maybe so" foods - meaning that they require choosing the superstars, portion control and deciding how frequently in a daily diet they should be consumed - include grains, proteins, fats and dairy. Depending on gender, age, energy levels and dietary goals you make your choices.
Red foods or as I call them "No, with a smile foods," require a stop and strong contemplation moment. No food is forbidden but these foods which are typically highly processed, sugary, salty or creamy foods are treat foods so you need to decide how often to slip them into your weekly (not daily) diet and really savor them. Kids and adults can easily understand this approach to eating and it can simplify discussions and battles too!
I loved your column and hope it really resonates with readers!!
Hi Health Gal - Thanks so much for your kind words
and for offering readers another great resource for teaching kids to eat healthy using games! I just love the ideas of Red Light - Green Light and 1-2-3! I hope all of these good tools are helpful to parents and their children. - MBL