There has been a lot of buzz in the media lately about childhood obesity. Studies conducted by the U.S. Government show that approximately one-third of children in America are overweight. That’s over 25 million kids who face a future potentially plagued by diabetes, high cholesterol and other health problems.

Why is this number so high? It's true that there's a lot of junk food out there, but that doesn't mean that kids have to eat it. Where do kids learn to be healthy -- or un-healthy -- eaters?

Recent studies have indicated that one of the keys to childhood obesity is tied to the diet and fitness habits of the parents. Keith Ayoob, a registered dietitian at Albert Einstein College in New York City, noted in a recent USA Today feature that he never sees children with healthier lifestyles than their parents; 'Parents are, hands down, the biggest influence on their kids. They need to be good role models.'

And children look to their parents to lead the way in terms of diet and nutrition. 71 percent of kids say that they look to their mothers to learn how to be healthy, as reported in a survey of 1,487 children between the ages of 8 and 18 recently released by the America on the Move Foundation.

So how can we learn to be better role models for our children? What can mothers do?

I suggest the following do's and don't to help your daughter grow up to be a healthy, happy adult:

DO:

1. Appreciate your body

If you appreciate your body, your daughter will learn to appreciate hers as well. Focus on your favorite features instead of complaining about what’s less desirable.

2. Consume a variety of fruits, vegetables, lean meats, low-fat milk and whole grains daily

Studies show that mothers who model healthy eating habits such as drinking milk are more likely to have daughters who do the same. If you want your daughter to fill her glass with milk instead of soda, you need to do the same.

3. Serve milk at every meal

Studies indicate that teens who drink milk instead of sugary sodas tend to weigh less and have less body fat. Drinking 3 glasses of lowfat milk a day is a healthy habit to promote strong bones and a lean, toned body.

4. Enjoy and participate in physical activity

Mothers who value the importance of exercise positively influence an active lifestyle in their daughters. Studies show that inactive mothers tend to have inactive daughters.

5. Eat family meals at home

Sharing meals together at home provides multiple opportunities for you to model healthy behaviors. Your own food and beverage choices may be more influential than any other attempt you make to control what your daughter eats and drinks.