Researchers from Sweden tracked 2,000 children for 8 years, and here’s interesting discovery: kids who were either overweight or obese were at a greater risk of developing asthma than normal-weight kids. Normal-weight toddlers who gained weight later and had a high BMI by age 7 were more likely to have asthma. (Asthma is inflammation of airways. Leading to difficulty breathing, wheezing and coughing.)
The good news: Kids who were heavier but then leaned-out reduced their asthma risk to the low risk of the normal-weight kids! Cool.
Tips for raising healthy weight kids:
- Provide breakfast
- Serve skim and 1% milk (2-3 servings/day)
- Lots of water between meals (rather than calorie-containing sodas, sweet drinks and juices)
- Meals and snacks based on fruits, veggies, and whole-grains
- Serve family meals daily
- Fun outdoor time with your children
