Newswise — When families eat together, they're more likely to eat healthier food in moderate proportions, says Dr. William Cochran, pediatric gastroenterologist for Geisinger Health System.
Making healthy foods and portion control a family priority is a big step toward avoiding obesity, Cochran says. And, like most chronic diseases, preventing obesity is far better than treating it.
Obese adolescents have an 80% chance of becoming obese as adults. Studies have also shown that when both parents are obese, there's a 60 to 80% chance their children will be obese. Parents should pay close attention to the body mass index of their children, Cochran says. Even a slight increase in a child's BMI should be considered a warning sign.
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