By Tom Gilliam, Ph.D.
The holidays are here in full (fattening) force. And unfortunately for the health conscious, along with the tinsel and the tree comes the onslaught of temptation: the rich turkey gravy, the dressing, the sugar cookies, the eggnog, the pieâall those comfort foods that taste especially comforting during a recession-marred holiday. But as we mentally prepare ourselves to push away from the festively set table, itâs easy to forget we arenât the only ones facing tempting treatsâour kids are too.
Thatâs right. Between parties at school and stockings stuffed with sugary surprises, our kids are just as susceptible to the guilty pleasures we allow ourselves during the holiday season. The bad news is that the âspecial occasionâ indulgences we allow during the holidays can quickly morph into harmful bad habits for our childrenâhabits that will last long after the gifts have been unwrapped.
A lifetime of fitness always begins at home, and thatâs also true when the home is covered in tinsel and lights. Research shows over and over that the only way to combat childhood obesity is to make nutrition and exercise family priorities. And while itâs okay for them to indulge a little bit during the holidays, you should gently steer your kids away from the third buttery dinner roll and the double handful of chocolate candy.â

