Studies from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have found that childhood obesity has more than quadrupled in adolescents within the last 30 years. Kids In The House experts agree that healthy habits are created at home so it’s our responsibility to help turn this statistic around. Pediatricians and exercise experts share simple tips that will make a big difference in your child’s health.

Pediatrician Cara Natterson explains that healthy eating starts with what you buy at the store. “The most important thing is that your pantry and your fridge is filled with healthy options, not with a bunch of junk that you tell your kids they can't touch,” says Natterson. Having this food around the house will help your kids develop healthy eating habits for the rest of their lives. While it is okay to still let them have treats, teach your kids to eat them in moderation.

Dr. Natterson also stresses the importance of making sure your kids are drinking enough water. The amount they need will vary depending on the child, but teach kids that their urine should be a light yellow if they are drinking the appropriate amount. Do parents need to buy bottled water for their children? Natterson says she drinks tap water, as it has been tested to make sure there are no dangerous chemicals or bacteria in the water supply. So keep filling up those glasses!

Kids need to be eating healthy not only at home but also at school.  Chef Ann Cooper says it’s important to let your child help you make his or her lunch. “If we want our kids to eat what we feed them… they need to participate,” explains Chef Ann. Involving kids in this process will make them more eager to eat their lunches, rather than throwing it away so they can go out to recess. 

Raising healthy kids also means motivating them to exercise and go outside. Exercise trainer Owen McKibben shares that just like healthy eating is determined by habits, so is exercise.  “If you force yourself to move and exercise everyday, then you create it as a lifestyle habit,” says McKibben. Encourage your kids to play outside for 15-30 minutes everyday. As you do this, they will become healthier and happier.

Do you want more health tips from our experts? Join us tomorrow, October 21st, at 1:30PM PST for our Google Hangout “HEALTHY KIDS 101: Raising A More Healthy Generation.” We will be joined by Cara Natterson, Chef Ann Cooper and Dr. Thomas Grogan, and you can ask them your questions live! Click here to RSVP for the event.