Thirty years ago, most people led lives that kept them at a healthy weight. Kids walked to and from school every day, ran around at recess, participated in physical training class, and played for hours after school before dinner. Meals were home-cooked with reasonable portion sizes and there was always a vegetable on the plate. Eating fast food was rare and snacking between meals was an occasional
treat. Kids today lead a very different kind of life. Walks to and from school have been replaced by car and bus rides. Physical education class and school sports have been cut and are often replaced now by afternoons with TV, video games, and the internet. Parents are busier than ever and families eat fewer home-cooked meals. Snacking between meals is the norm, not the exception. Portion sizes have also exploded. Food portions are two to five times bigger than they used to be. Beverage portions have grown as well. That is the bad news. The good news is by making a few simple changes we can help our kids to lead healthier lives. We just need the will. We can solve the challenge of childhood obesity within a generation so that children born today will reach adulthood at a healthy weight if we all work together.
