Children between the ages of 2 and 12 years should be encouraged to develop good meal habits. These formative years are especially crucial for developing good eating and exercise habits. Recent research indicates that children who are overweight or obese by age 11 are likely to carry their excess weight into adulthood and to suffer from related health problems such as type 2 diabetes.

Introducing new and healthy foods can be challenging, as some children may reject these foods initially. However, parents are urged not to give up, as some children do not respond positively to a food until they have eaten it many times.

Encouraging children to remain active can also help them to burn off the calories they accumulate while eating. Children should generally engage in at least 60 minutes of physical activity per day.

Teenagers often develop a bad habit of eating fast foods. Parents are urged to encourage healthier alternatives, such as grilled chicken sandwiches and salads, or meals with smaller portion sizes. If teens have not developed an interest in team sports, they may be open to alternative activities such as yoga, Pilates, walking, running, dancing, swimming, inline skating or mountain biking.