Obesity Prevention

The modern approach to obesity prevention uses a combination of cognitive, behavioral and affective techniques to help obese people make successive, small behavior changes that are sustainable.

It is a developmental training activity that teaches these people how to modify their eating and physical activity behaviors, become more self-nurturing, develop effective limit-setting skills, and build a more positive body image.

Though it is not possible to change one's genetic makeup or socioeconomic status, it is possible to modify one's lifestyle to accommodate better eating habits and increase the levels of physical activity.

Obesity prevention training is especially important for children since they form a high-risk group.

obesity prevention

Children should be encouraged and guided in choosing small but adequate portions of nutritious, low-fat foods, and exercising self control when confronted by environmental cues like enticing smells of favorite snacks. A daily diary of food intake will help them keep a track of their calorie intake. They should also be motivated to undertake at least 30 minutes of moderate to intense physical activity a day, like brisk walking or swimming, avoid sitting long hours in front of the television and reduce inter-meal snacking to nil.

All these steps taken together will help in better obesity prevention and management in children.