Avoid Obesity as a Child We all know that in today's society, appearance is important. They shouldn't be, but they play a role in who we are. Now ask yourself: If appearance is important to your children, shouldn't the food they eat be just as important? A healthy diet plays an important role in how your children feel and behave. So when it comes to our children, we want them to be healthy and have all the advantages that other children have. A great step is to have a good diet for your children and make sure they get the important nutrients they need every day. When we think of health, most people only think of common colds and/or illnesses. What they don't think about is the food they allow their children to eat. This can play a role in our children's development and their weight. We must teach our children early on the importance of the foods they eat; what it contains and how much they should have. Parents should make sure their children understand the role fats and sugars play in a healthy diet. It is very important to start teaching healthy eating habits to our children at a young age, so that they are invested in the correct diet from the early years of life. Learning the right foods to eat can help reduce obesity in this country. One factor that contributes to obesity today is pop or soda. Sugary drinks are a problem for many people. Both children and adults need to pay attention to what they drink. As adults, we must set an example for our children of right and wrong. Sugary drinks are high in sugar and contain many empty calories. The calories are not the kind that fill you up like food. A single can of soda can contain approximately 150 calories (Harvard.edu). Plus, soda isn't the only paper medium...instruct food companies to label foods with the colors used to prepare them. Overall, there are many different things that can cause obesity. We've looked at just a few that will help you guide yourself and your child towards a much healthier lifestyle. There are other factors that should be taken into consideration when planning a diet or choosing healthy food options for your child. This may be a lifestyle change and may be difficult at first, but it is not easy. Change is hard and requires dedication. Everyone may not succeed, but those who try should see better results than those who don't. It all starts with adults. You are the one who sets an example for your children. They admire you and will follow your example. The question you need to ask yourself is, do you want your child to live a healthy life and fight against obesity.