Obesity is a very serious issue, and has become more so over the last 20 years, to the extent that it affects one in every six children and one in every three adults. There are a number of associated issues, ranging from diabetes, stroke, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, to even cancer. It is extremely important that you prioritize your own fitness because, besides these issues, the medical costs related to obesity are astronomical. You should be taking whatever steps you can to prevent and control obesity before it becomes problematic. If push comes to shove, visit a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass clinic in Melbourne

Childhood Obesity and How to Deal with It

• Portion control is a good place to start. If you are cooking, try to prepare single portions for everyone to prevent overeating. Even if you have extras, keep them in the fridge instead of at the table.
• Healthy snacks are the way to go. Introduce fruits and veggies into your kids’ diets and pack their snack bags accordingly.
• Train your children to understand when they are hungry, but also when to stop eating. The body tends to send signals, and if they are able to pick these up early, then they can be responsible when eating. By spacing it out properly, they will never be at either extreme- “stuffed” or “starving”.
• Plan family activities to stay active. Go for walks, play sports, do whatever it takes to stay fit. It doesn’t even need to be a separate activity. Just changing small things in the family routine works wonders. You could all take the stairs, park far from the gates, walk the shorter distances, and so on.

Maintaining a positive attitude is a must. Don’t use food as an incentive or a punishment. Let your kids have a healthy approach towards food.

Dealing with Obesity as an Adult

• Keeping a food journal is a great idea so that you know exactly what you are eating and what needs to be slashed from your diet. This can be a simple list or something more detailed with a breakdown of carbs/calories.
• Try five-a-day routines. These promote eating at least five fruit and vegetable portions every day. There are a number of ways to make it really interesting, and it is a fantastic way to stay healthy.
• Plan your meals so that you can curb your intake of fatty foods. If you shop with a list in mind, you will buy healthier too, which goes a long way.
• Go for a healthy breakfast, like porridge, instead of fatty breakfasts. Eat smaller portions too, so as to keep your diet in check. If diet plans are not working out, you might want to consider a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass procedure in Melbourne.
• Integrate at least some exercise into your routine. The ideal is at least 30 minutes, five times a week. This isn’t restricted to the gym, of course. The level goes up to around an hour a day for children.
• Avoid processed food and fast food as much as possible. You don’t have to stay completely away from them, and cheat days are fine, but you will have to crack down and be disciplined.
• Swap fatty snacks for protein bars and other healthy snacks like almonds.
• Don’t eat in front of the television or while doing something else. Distraction leads to you eating more and eating faster.

A little proactivity goes a long way in cutting down the risk of obesity and keeping you healthy and fit in the long run. If you are not able to curb it using the traditional methods, a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass from a reputable Melbourne clinic is a viable option.

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