addicts junk food children older teenagers grow weight

Junk food addiction is a disease. The addicts are victims of their circumstances. Unfortunately, there is no easy remedy. Weight reduction (bariatric) surgery is the only option for many people.

How do we protect children from junk food? In the past, we were protecting our children from predators like wolves and tigers. Now, we have to protect them from junk food. It is not easy. These are some ideas to consider:

1. Adult influences: Adults should take all the care to minimize the exposure of children to junk food. They need to have firm convictions and practices. Think of why children in traditional brahmin families have aversion to meat.
2. Media: We need to shield children from powerful junk food campaigns on TV and other electronic media. In my opinion, there should be strict rules for the family when it comes to electronic entertainment. TV is a barrier to child development in many ways.
3. Eating out culture:This should be discouraged. There are so many other ways to have fun in life.
4. Birthdays and other events: These should be celebrated more meaningfully with less junk food and extravagance.
5. Grandparents: In India, grandparents are like a second set of parents. This has many benefits, but there should not be any conflicting signals reaching the child. Parents and grandparents should be on the same page, When it comes to child feeding and discipline.
6. Finally do not forget the basic principles of feeding children

• Share your food with your kids. Kids should not be eating any kid food. Good food is the same for children and adults. It should be as close to nature as possible and have as much variety as feasible.
• Children should be eating along with parents and other members of the family. It is an opportunity for them to learn. Remember that children always learn from their parents unknowingly (modeling). Parents may have something to learn from kids too. Also, be aware that eating has a social dimension.
• Do not praise for eating or not eating. If the child fails to eat, do not provide alternatives.
• Do not tell children that certain items are good or bad for strength or health. This is simply not true. Any food can be good or bad depending on the context. Children do not have enough cognition to comprehend this. If you tell your kid that sugar is bad, then it is difficult to explain why you are bringing cakes on birthdays. Such messages can potentially lead to unhealthy relationships with food.
• Provide food at scheduled meal or snack times. The schedule should be based on the family’s needs and conveniences.
• Encourage children to sit at the dining table at mealtimes, even if they don't eat. If the child does not eat at the scheduled time, she/he has to wait until the next time. It is important for them to know the value of hunger.
• Sometimes, kids are fixated on eating the same item all the time, at the expense of all others. This is a self-limiting problem and nothing to worry about. Try not to correct them but keep offering variety. Try to be a good model.
• Avoid distractions while eating. There should be rules in the family about electronic screens. These rules should be strict and be part of the family’s culture.
• Never use food as a reward. Try not to soothe a baby with food. Do not offer ice cream as a prize for eating spinach.
• Children should be assigned age-appropriate responsibilities in cooking and other chores. This is to help the child, not the parent. Ask for your child’s preferences while preparing food. Once in a while, invite your child's friends to eat with you. This is how we respect our children