I have always had a keen interest in nutrition and the other day I found these statistics in the Time Magazine. As a parent I was horrified and as you will read below, inspired to write this article. I urge parents to take more interest in nutrition and take action to save our teens from a fate of obesity:

Two-thirds of U.S. adults are officially overweight, and about half of those have graduated to full-blown obesity. The rates for African Americans and Latinos are even higher. Among kids between 6 and 19 years old, 15%, or 1 in 6, are overweight, and another 15% are headed that way. Even our pets are pudgy: a depressing 25% of dogs and cats are heavier than they should be. Michael D. Lemonick, June 7, 2004 Time Magazine

According to the U.S department of Health and Human Services, unhealthy eating and physical inactivity are leading causes of death. In the U.S, 310, 000 to 580, 000 deaths each year are caused by this. This is why educating your children at a young age about the importance of eating healthy is so important.

The typical American diet is too high in saturated fat, sodium, and sugar and too low in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, calcium, and fiber. Such a diet contributes to four of the six leading causes of death and increases the risk of numerous diseases, including: heart disease, diabetes, obesity, hypertension, stroke, osteoporosis, many cancers (colon, prostate, mouth, throat, esophagus, lung, stomach) just to mention a few...

Nutrition is defined as "The process of taking in the food or other substances necessary for growth, health and good condition." Eating healthy and living a healthy lifestyle are important factors for one's well being, especially in young children and adolescents. As elementary school aged children go through remarkable physical changes of all kinds, their food intake becomes a critical aspect of this growth and development. Recent research shows that nourishing food not only makes a child healthier, but makes them emotionally more stable, and improves school performance. There is an abundance of online info currently on the market to help aid parents in the quest of keeping their children healthy.

Being a Mum with work and family commitments I find little or no time to read books. I spend half of my life taxi-ing the teens to and from school and activities. I have however embraced my iPod and download not only the music of my youth but also lots of great knowledge based audio books and programs that I can listen to in the car and when I go for my walks. They keep my mind learning so it doesn't turn to mush (mother brains). There are some great nutritional and parenting programs available. The “Changing Habits Changing Lives” audio book by Cyndi O'Meara, is a Fav with me, it is so practical and logical. It makes you think twice next time you put something into your mouth. Each track teaches step by step, habit by habit, action by action how to regain heath and longevity.

“Healthy eating for teens” at the same website as above is also great. It is based on clinical hypnosis. Some people find the idea of hypnosis a bit daunting, I personally couldn't recommend a more effective way to assist a child or teenager alter their perception about food and develop healthy lifestyle patterns, up their desire for healthy foods; cut back on junk and sugar and curb emotional eating, release stress easily and enjoy being their own person.

Being healthy as a child has so many benefits, and can help children live happier, healtheir and longer lives. Exercise is also a great way to achieve this. My kids loved this Teens Choice program it is the ultimate challenge to keep your kids movin and grooving. Exercise is great to keep your young teens feeling good about themselves and they can even do it with their friends. Just download it onto their iPod, boot them off the couch and watch them go!