Think of some questions that you have about nutrition and obesity and write them down. What do you do to manage your child's diet and nutrition? What do you do when a child is a picky eater or eats too much? How do you know if it's not baby fat?

What would you have said in this discussion? What were the childcare provider's solutions or recommendations? Take a moment to think about the food available to children in your home. What opportunities do children have for physical activity? How does your routine compare to what you heard?

Main Points:

• Use a body mass index chart to check weight
• Change diet to integrate healthy food choices
• Ensure there is time to be physically active every day
• Have healthy snacks easily available that kids can reach
• Delay giving second servings (or make initial portion smaller)
• Offer water first because children may not recognize difference between hunger and thirst
• Have birthday celebrations once a month instead of several individual celebrations

As you watch, look for things that the child care provider does that you would find helpful. Look for one strategy that you could adopt. How can you offer more opportunities for physical activity?

What strategies did you notice? How are your practices the same as what you saw? How are they different? Which strategy would you like to adopt? What would you need to do to make it happen?

Main Points:

• Pay attention to TV viewing habits: kids who watch over 4 hours a day are at risk
• No eating in front of TV - you see ads for unhealthy foods and the distractions of TV make it hard to realize when you are full
• Kids need at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day
• Be a good role model in the way you eat and exercise
• Involve whole family in healthy behavior
• Have plates of food that include colors of the rainbow
• Get kids involved in food preparation.

Write down any new questions you have. What medical problems are related to obesity? What are effective ways of dealing with a child who is overweight? What snack food do you have around the house? How long do your kids spend outside? Why is the language we use important?

What is the most important piece of advice you heard? How much sugar is in the food we eat and juices? How can you help a child who is obese or overweight? What are the consequences of telling a child that they are overweight? What are alternatives to using food as a reward or a punishment? What do you need to do to be an effective role model?

Main Points:

• Develop healthy eating habits early
• Eat smaller portions throughout the day
• Kids need to be active at least one hour a day
• Be supportive—don't focus on the fact that a child is overweight; instead encourage healthy behaviors
• Don't use food as reward or punishment
• Kids need food for growth, development, and energy—don't give mixed messages about the purpose of food

Here is your chance to think about how to apply what you've learned. How can you educate children about healthy eating? How can you get them to try new and healthier foods? How can preparing their own meals help prevent them from becoming overweight?

What are the benefits from having children help prepare food? What healthy foods have you prepared with your children? What are healthier substitutes that you can use in your cooking?

What children can learn from cooking:

• Learn about and try different foods
• Vocabulary (names of foods, cooking terms)
• Fine motor skills
• Mathematics (measuring)