What role does nutrition play in how we assess, treat, and prevent obesity in children?

Primary role: Addressing nutrition is critical to all aspects of conquering the obesity epidemic in children. Children must be counter conditioned against the advertising they receive and adults have to do a better job providing and modeling healthy food choices to children. Additionally, we need to get kids moving again - sedentary activities like those in front of a screen will lead to shorter life spans!

Important: Nutrition is very important, a diet high in processed sugar and saturated fats certainly can lead to obesity. Portion control is very important. Fresh fruits and vegetables as half of your plate is recommended by the government at choosemyplate.gov We can assess Obesity- by Body mass index, treat and prevent through education and good choices.

Nutrition: For babies 1. breast feed as long as possible 2. don't introduce fruit juices until they are atleast six months old. Limit juices to less than 4 oz in a day 3. soothe your babywith something other than juice or bottle milk; use gentle touch, calm environment Children >1 year: nutritional education, stimulus control, modification of eating habits, physical activity, attitude change, reinforcement