Obesity, Stress and Breakfast with your family

This is the second tip in a series for families preparing to starting the new school year. TIP: Have a sit-down breakfast with your students every school morning. This is a routine that can be started anytime, but there’s no time like the present. Yes, family meal time is a very important way to limit stressors and to regularly connect with your family as well as start the day right. And most agree that the way a day starts is the way that it will go! Most of us live a busy lifestyle with little time for family togetherness or healthy meals. Breakfast IS the most important meal of the day. Some doubt this traditional statement. However, there is a proven strong correlation between eating breakfast and weight control. Obesity is a major health problem for many adults. However, for children it is even more problematic. Over the last 20 years, the rate of childhood obesity has tripled! As parents, we are forming our children’s eating habits by example as well as by habit and routine. One study tracked 3,000 people (mostly adult women), who had lost at least 30 pounds (avg 70 pounds) and kept the weight off for 1+ years. 78% of the participants had breakfast 7 days a week and an additional 11% had breakfast 5+ days per week! Stay tuned the next tip for the new school year.