In the United States, one-fifth of our children are now reported to be overweight, and one out of ten (24 million adults) has diabetes. The CDC predicts that one out of three children born in the United States in 2000 will develop type 2 diabetes at some point in his life.

As a result of obesity, we are seeing a dramatic rise in children with type 2 diabetes throughout our country. And, because of the connection obesity has with hypertension, hypercholesterolemia (high cholesterol), and heart disease, experts are predicting a dramatic rise in heart disease as our children become adults.

If you do not lose weight for yourself, at least do it for your children!

Children learn by example, by mirroring the behavior of their parents. Don’t tell them to lose weight without doing it yourself. I am sure that you love your children and you are a good parent. But ask yourself: Do you love your children enough to lose weight? Do you love them enough to educate them on what foods to eat and what foods to avoid? Do you love them enough to keep junk food out of your home and instead make more healthy options available? Do you love them enough to exercise regularly and lead by example?   

If you answered yes to those questions, it is important that you not only take action for your children’s sakes but also that you make changes for them that last.

We have to put the brakes on this obesity epidemic- and a lifestyle approach to eating is the answer!!!