Children who are substantially overweight are at greater risk for cardiovascular disease, bone and joint problems, sleep apnea, poor self-esteem, and long-term health problems in adulthood.
Addressing weight problems in children requires a coordinated plan of physical activity and healthy nutrition.
Treatment for childhood obesity is to slow or halt weight gain (unless directed by your child’s doctor), thereby allowing your child to grow into his or her ideal weight.
Don’t fall into the low-fat trap. Because fat is so dense in calories, a little can go a long way in making kids feel full and keeping them feeling fuller for longer. Eating whole-milk rather than low-fat dairy products, for example, is linked to less body fat and lower levels of obesity.
Eating a breakfast high in quality protein—from enriched cereal, yoghurt, milk, cheese, eggs, meat, or fish—can help overweight teenagers eat fewer calories throughout the rest of the day and lose weight.
Encourage to exercise!
The benefits of lifelong exercise are abundant and regular exercise can even help motivate your kids to make healthy food choices.
- Play with your kids. Throw around a football; go cycling, skating, or swimming; take family walks and hikes.
- Help your kids find activities they enjoy by showing them different possibilities.
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