If you have a medical problem from overeating, and you give your child the same foods, then they will have your problems and maybe they will be even worse.

This is where a lot of parents haven't totally understood about the relationship of food and disease. They know that their medical problems have come because of what they have eaten. They also know they learned bad habits from their parents. Some will even blame their parents for what has happened. But here is where they miss the point.

They miss the point that they are doing exactly the same to their children. They miss the point that some time in the future their children will blame them for their health problems. They miss the point that the only way to change things is to do things differently.

If they don't know what to do then they can learn. They learned the bad habits, and they can learn good habits. They learned to cook and serve unhealthy food; they can learn to cook healthy food. They learned to snack on chocolate when depressed, they can learn to take a walk when they are depressed, and maybe eat a piece of fruit.

It is all about learning. Finding out the details and then putting into practice what they are learning. It isn't about becoming an expert immediately but to start to learn about healthy eating and dieting.

It is about making healthy choices, from knowledge than from guesswork. There are lots a parents needs to do to help their children learn about food. But these children will want to see their parents putting into practice. They will not want to be told to eat breakfast and then not see the parent eating breakfast.

Children want to learn by example. They want their parents to be good role models and to show them how to do things the proper way. Take time to teach your children how to cook, yes they might make a mess, but you are investing in the health they will have for many years to come.