Preventing Childhood Obesity: Tips for Child Care Professionals

Provide Healthy Eating Experiences
* Provide healthy meals and snacks that meet the requirements of USDA's Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). For children 2 years and older, plan meals to follow the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Use plenty of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains.

* Limit high sugar and fat foods without being overly restrictive. Fat should not be restricted in the diets of children younger than 2 years of age. Children between 2 and 5 should consume gradually diminishing amounts of fat so that by the age of 5 their diet contains no more than 30 percent of calories from fat.

* Make mealtimes a pleasant and sociable experience. Provide opportunities to help children develop positive attitudes about healthy foods and learn appropriate eating patterns, mealtime behavior, and communication skills. Allow children to decide how much to eat. Encourage children to eat slowly. Do not use food as punishment or reward.

Promote Physical Activity

Physical activity is an important part of good health and helps children to maintain appropriate healthy weights. Young children need at least 60 minutes of physical activity daily. Keep it fun and safe by providing age-appropriate equipment and activities.

* Provide daily outdoor or alternative activities during bad weather. Maximize opportunities for large motor muscle activity, such as jumping, dancing, marching, kicking, running, riding a tricycle, or throwing a ball.

* Encourage children to keep moving by including active games and play throughout the day, such as music, dance, and make-believe. Provide toys and equipment that encourage physical activity, such as balls, hula-hoops, bubbles, and cardboard boxes.

Teach Healthy Eating Habits

* Provide daily nutrition activities, lessons, and learning experiences to promote positive attitudes about good nutrition and health. Teaching healthy eating practices early will help children approach eating with the right attitude - that food should be enjoyed and is necessary for growth, development, and energy.

* Help families to understand and practice healthy eating habits. Provide parents with information on children's nutrition needs and healthy eating so they can encourage young children to develop healthy eating habits.

* Provide child care staff with appropriate nutrition and foodservice training. Staff should know the basis principles of child nutrition and the strategies for creating a positive environment. This knowledge will help promote the development of good eating habits, the importance of role modeling healthful behaviors, and healthy culinary techniques.

* Be a role model. Set a good example for children to follow by demonstrating healthy eating behaviors and an active lifestyle. Be mindful of modeling appropriate behaviors, such as enjoying a variety of foods, being willing to taste new foods, and enjoying physical activity. Do not eat or drink anything in front of the children they are not allowed to have, such as soda, candy, or coffee.