Overeating and undereating can both pose health risks for children. Studies show many children are dangerously overweight due to increased obesity rates. Obese children are more likely to develop diseases and heart conditions at a young age, putting them at risk of dying before their parents. Additionally, some children do not eat enough due to lack of access to food. The media bombards youth with messages promoting thinness, adding pressure and contributing to the problem.

2. You have probably heard the say
“you are what you eat”. This is
very true. To stay healthy you
need to eat healthy. Issues
related to food and diet can have
very big influences on our health
and well-being.

3. Studies have show that more and
more children and young adults
are dangerously overweight. In
south Africa obesity among young
people is growing at an alarming rate.
Doctors say that children are obese
When they are more than 20% over
their normal bodyweight.

4. Obese children and teens
are far more likely o get
diseases and heart diseases
at a very young age. This
means that there is a danger
that million of children will
die before their parents
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6. Over-eating can clearly be regarded as risk
behavior as it can lead to long term illness and
diseases. But under-eating is just as much as a
risk, I not more so. Some kids don’t get enough to
eat because there is not enough money to buy
food. This is beyond their control. But for some
young people there is food available and they
choose not to eat.

7. Everywhere we look in the
media, magazines, on TV and in films we
see images of thin people. The thin girls get
the guy, the fat one doesn’t. the fat guy is
always a nerd never the ‘cool dude’. We
get massages all the time to say fat is ‘out’
and thin is ‘in’. To add to the problem there
are dozens of advertisements for weight-
loss products and slimming programmes.

8.  Reduce your position size. You can still eat
the food you like just eat less of them.
 Eat slowly. Take small bites and chew
properly. This gives you gives your brain time
to tell you, you are full.
 Choose healthy snack like fruits and
vegetables
 Drink water instead of fizzy cool drink
 Eat in the table instead of in front of the TV

9. Fill up on colourful fruits and vegetables
 Greens. Branch out
beyond bright and dark
green lettuce.
 Sweet vegetables. Naturally
sweet vegetables—such as
corn, carrots, beets, sweet
potatoes.
 Fruit. Fruit is a tasty, satisfying
 way to fill up on fiber, vitamins, and
antioxidants.

10. Salt
Most of us consume too much salt in our diets.
Eating too much salt can cause high blood
pressure and lead to other health problems.
Try to limit sodium intake to 1,500 to 2,300 mg
per day, the equivalent of one teaspoon of
salt.
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11.  Avoid processed or pre-packaged foods.
Processed foods like canned soups or
frozen dinners contain hidden sodium that
quickly surpasses the recommended limit
 Be careful when eating out. Most restaurant
and fast food meals are loaded with
sodium
 Opt for fresh or frozen vegetables instead of
canned vegetables.
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12.  Cut back on salty snacks such as potato
chips, nuts, and pretzels
 Choose low-salt or reduced-sodium
products
• Try slowly reducing the salt in your diet to
give your taste buds time to adjust.