When children are young, parents and guardians are responsible for providing an environment that helps them maintain a lifestyle that is helpful to their health. Doing the following can help your child;

​Set appropriate limits on on-screen entertainment like television, tablets, and video games.

​Help children develop and maintain a positive body image.

​Provide a calm, reassuring atmosphere at regular meal and snack time.

​Involve the family in fun physical activities

​Avoid restrictive meals and excessive exercise regimens.

​Be a positive role model for healthful eating and physical activity habits.

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Regarding fitness and nutrition, the role of parents is the same no matter the size of the children. A healthy weight for children is about much more than numbers. It is about healthy behaviors such as activities for strength, flexibility, eating healthy foods, and aerobic capacity.

Here are some straightforward steps that parents can take to help kids develop positive lifestyle habits. These are proven ways to promote healthy weight for adults too;

* ​Eat breakfast - Go beyond eating cereals and milk. Try other foods like sandwiches with juice/tea or fruits like bananas or oranges. You can also teach your children how to use the blender to make morning smoothies. 

​* Make family mealtimes a time together: Eating more meals together can make a huge difference in your family's health, happiness, and finances. Eating out can be expensive, though dinners made at home are affordable and easier to prepare than you think.

​* Eating varieties of fruits and vegetables: Children between 5 and 13 need 1 to 2 cups of fruit and 1.5 to 3.5 cups of vegetables daily. Serve crunchy, juicy, delicious fruits and vegetables at every meal and snack. Frozen, fresh, dried, or canned products affect good health.

​* Being active by playing together: Kids between 6 years and above need 60 minutes of playtime. Play with your kids daily because it is fun for them and you. Plan family activities that get everyone moving, such as biking, after-meal walks, basketball or soccer at the park, and board games like chess or monopoly.

​* Dine out responsibly: When going to a restaurant, look for nutritious options on the children's menu, such as grilled chicken or fruit salad. If you ever order takeout or home delivery, you can add to the meal by serving a glass of freshly made juice or a side salad.

​* Don't forbid foods or use food as a reward: Forbidding certain foods at home only increases a child's desire for that food. Instead of saying no to your child's favorite meal, you can limit the portion given. Use non-food rewards for good behavior, such as buying a bike or clothes and allowing your child's friend to have a friend come over to play.

​* Choose healthful beverages: Many fruit drinks and soft drinks contain added sugars, which could replace nutritious beverages. Instead, serve healthy drinks like plain milk and water.

​* Encourage mindful eating: Forbid your children from watching TV during meal times because it helps them focus on their meal at the dinner table. Ask your kids what it feels like to be hungry, then a little bit hungry, comfortably, and uncomfortably full. Discuss the importance of trusting and listening to internal body cues.

* ​Remove television sets and video games in bedrooms: Children need to get enough sleep to maintain a healthy weight and perform better in school. Health experts recommend no television in your children's room to reduce screen time and promote healthy sleep habits.