How To Help Your Overweight Child

By Author: garylancer
Total Articles: 2
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Nowadays, obesity is not only a concern for adults. It has become an alarming problem among children too. Now that kids are spending more time stationary in front of the TV or computer, obesity in children is no longer a novelty. In the United States, 1 out 3 children are considered childhood overweight or obese. What are the child obesity facts and health tips that we need to understand to prevent and treat obesity among children?
Obesity is having an excess amount of fat in the body. The weight is far greater than the weight that is regarded as healthy. The Body Mass Index (BMI) is used as an indicator for childhood overweight and obesity. It is calculated using a child's weight and height. Because of the ever changing body composition of children and difference between boys and girls, the BMI is modified, based on age and gender. BMI for age is determined using gender-specific growth charts that places a child in a percentile relative to weight and height. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), for children and adolescents (ages 2-19 years):
• Childhood overweight is defined as a ...
... BMI at or above the 85th percentile and lower than the 95th percentile for children of the same age and sex.
• Child obesity is defined as a BMI at or above the 95th percentile for children of the same age and sex.
Children have the prospect of becoming obese because of various factors. Obesity in children can be due to genetics. An overweight link in the family can influence child obesity. Behaviours, such as eating habits and physical activity, highly supply obesity among children.. Children can be misinformed about nutritious food. They also tend to spend too much time sitting in front of the TV or computer resulting to lack of exercise. The emotional and mental well-being also contribute. If the child is stressed, or depressed, or has low self esteem, eating may become a reliever for them, which is a very unhealthy practice. Socio-economic status can also matter, such that people in the lower income brackets may not afford to buy nutritious meals and they also have an inclination toward a high calorie intake. Lastly, the environment is very elemental. The child’s school, community, and family are role models for him. If his surroundings are not keen towards healthy food practice, he may just do the same.
Child obesity poses health risks. It can increase the chances of medical problems such as heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, respiratory problems, reproductive problems, stroke, and some cancers. Aside from that, obese children become the victims of bullying and teasing among their peers because of their size. This can have serious effects in the esteem of the child.
Because of the overwhelming consequences that child obesity can bring, as a parent, you need to prevent or treat further injury to the health of the child. Serve meals and snack on regular times. Don’t let your child eat at random times. Good eating habits should be a family affair. Don’t let him undergo a diet by himself while the rest of the family does not. This will only isolate the child. Allow the child to decide how much to eat. Do not force the amount. This only results in faulty eating habits. Serve healthful foods, especially those low in fat. Avoid unnecessary sweets and salty foods. Encourage activity within the family and reduce the TV and computer time. Plan those activities with your child. These are health fitness tips for the parents to fight obesity among children.
Health fitness tips: Parents of an obese child must educate themselves of child obesity facts, as obesity in children is a serious matter. But because child obesity can be a sensitive topic, never criticize him for this. As your child grows, you don’t want to pressure him to be thin. Instead, encourage and support him to show acceptance and be one with him in choosing a healthy lifestyle. Emphasize strengths and great qualities. A good self esteem inculcates good eating habits, a positive outlook, and love for good health too.
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