One of the major causes of obesity, is food addiction, making a good number of children overweight. Children who are overweight usually have “Energy Imbalance”. This suggests that they take in more calories than they use when they are undergoing any physical activity. Hence, they gain more weight, or they have weight which is higher than the conventional healthy state.

These children might not be affected by any emotional issues which influences their overeating. Their weight could come down to a healthier weight range, if they are tutored on how to eat healthy, and the benefits. Hence, they would be more physically active.

However, those who are suffering from emotional eating patterns, could have a degree of depression. Hence, the child might be eating more food than usual, as a means to catering for their emotional needs. For instance, the child could use food to bring himself comfort, he could also use food to control his mood, and feel better whenever he wants to.

Teaching your children about the gains of eating healthy is advantageous, because it helps them to have a good relationship with their diet. Children who take in too much food, are at risk of coming down with health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer, high blood pressure and the likes.

However, it is quite hard to keep them from it because of the advert for junk food which is dominating the media.

For you to prevent food addiction, there are some steps you can take:

  • Make healthy snacks handy: Always ensure that your child takes healthy snacks, such as vegetables, cheese and fruits. Always keep them in areas where your children can easily reach them.
  • Do not keep junk at home: Since you do not want your children to eat junk food which could make them addicted, then it is essential that you do not bring it into your home. However, it does not imply that you make it totally absent in your home.
  • Never bargain with junk food: One mistake which parents often make is, they use junk food to bargain with their children, for them to eat healthy food. This should not be the case. It is however better to encourage them to eat more of healthy food.