Steps Parents Can Take to Help Their Overweight or Obese Children
As a parent, it is difficult for you to watch your child continue the poor health habits that have led to obesity. There is evidence that such children are more likely to develop serious health conditions if they don't lose weight.
This does not even take into account the increased emotional toll that obesity takes on children. Reading about childhood obesity is an excellent first step toward correcting your child's lifestyle deficiencies.
In general, overweight or obese children tend to be less active. It's also common for children with weight problems to not have a lot of confidence in themselves. They may not be very good at sports, and may worry that other kids will bully or make fun of them. This can prevent them from participating in activities that could make a difference in their weight and health. One thing you can do to help build confidence in kids is to ease them into activities that aren't too challenging.
For example, start out with leisurely 20-minute walks with your child around the neighborhood or at a nearby park. Look for a class or activity that will promote exercise but isn't very competitive and doesn't require a lot of athletic ability. Swimming, hiking and riding a bike are just a few possibilities. You'll be helping your kid a great deal if you try to get him to snack on foods that are not only healthy but low in calories as well.
Children love to snack and when they do, they often snack on chips, candies, and other junk foods. There are many healthier alternatives, such as fruit, nuts, yogurt, carrots and celery. Granted, these are far less tempting than snacks that are sweet or salty, but you can encourage your kids to develop a taste for these healthier and less fattening foods. Try packing some trail mix with your child's lunch instead of a candy bar. It's very typical for adults and kids to get into the habit of eating big meals. In children, this habit usually starts when the parent always insist that their child not leave anything on the plate. If a child is not eating enough or is underweight, this is obviously cause for concern.
However, if your child seems to be a little overweight, it's important that you make sure he or she eats just the right amount of food. This can be a big problem when you're eating out or ordering from fast food places. Give your child smaller meal portions. It's not a good idea to pile a huge amount of food in front of your child. Doing so will only encourage your child to develop the habit of overeating. Your child may be overweight now, but there is something you can do to help him or her get to a healthy weight.
You can certainly apply the tips we've shared in this article to help your child. However, it's best if you still talk with your child's doctor, especially if you're not completely certain that your child is overweight or if the weight gain is simply a normal part of your child's development. If a child is overweight or obese, remember that the problem took some time to develop and will take some time to solve.
This does not even take into account the increased emotional toll that obesity takes on children. Reading about childhood obesity is an excellent first step toward correcting your child's lifestyle deficiencies.
In general, overweight or obese children tend to be less active. It's also common for children with weight problems to not have a lot of confidence in themselves. They may not be very good at sports, and may worry that other kids will bully or make fun of them. This can prevent them from participating in activities that could make a difference in their weight and health. One thing you can do to help build confidence in kids is to ease them into activities that aren't too challenging.
For example, start out with leisurely 20-minute walks with your child around the neighborhood or at a nearby park. Look for a class or activity that will promote exercise but isn't very competitive and doesn't require a lot of athletic ability. Swimming, hiking and riding a bike are just a few possibilities. You'll be helping your kid a great deal if you try to get him to snack on foods that are not only healthy but low in calories as well.
Children love to snack and when they do, they often snack on chips, candies, and other junk foods. There are many healthier alternatives, such as fruit, nuts, yogurt, carrots and celery. Granted, these are far less tempting than snacks that are sweet or salty, but you can encourage your kids to develop a taste for these healthier and less fattening foods. Try packing some trail mix with your child's lunch instead of a candy bar. It's very typical for adults and kids to get into the habit of eating big meals. In children, this habit usually starts when the parent always insist that their child not leave anything on the plate. If a child is not eating enough or is underweight, this is obviously cause for concern.
However, if your child seems to be a little overweight, it's important that you make sure he or she eats just the right amount of food. This can be a big problem when you're eating out or ordering from fast food places. Give your child smaller meal portions. It's not a good idea to pile a huge amount of food in front of your child. Doing so will only encourage your child to develop the habit of overeating. Your child may be overweight now, but there is something you can do to help him or her get to a healthy weight.
You can certainly apply the tips we've shared in this article to help your child. However, it's best if you still talk with your child's doctor, especially if you're not completely certain that your child is overweight or if the weight gain is simply a normal part of your child's development. If a child is overweight or obese, remember that the problem took some time to develop and will take some time to solve.
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