TEACHING parents to say “No” to young children has reversed child obesity.
A scheme saw a fall among youngsters starting primary school thanks to tips on how to resist child pester power.
Under the scheme in Leeds, kids are offered only healthy choices rather than fat-rich grub, and asked which veg they fancy with dinner rather than if they want some greens.
HENRY, Health Exercise Nutrition for the Really Young, also urges parents to axe snacks, set regular meal times and, if needed, learn to cook. So far, 6,000 parents have taken part, with 625 kids in the city saved from getting fat in a year.
Fourteen other cities with no such scheme saw no improvement.
Former government obesity tsar Susan Jebb told the European Congress on Obesity in Glasgow: “If you catch children very young, parents have a heck of a lot of control.
“Under-fives don’t pop to the shop to buy something. Their every meal is what parents and carers provide.”
