What if my child is overweight?
-
Dr. Stephanie Walsh of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta answered:There is no magic pill for childhood obesity. Overweight children are more likely to become overweight adults than children considered to be a healthy weight. Obese children are at a higher risk for many health risks associated with cardiovascular disease. Other consequences that may affect overweight and obese children are social discrimination, asthma, and sleep apnea. Speak to your physician about steps you can take to help your child reach or maintain a healthy weight.There is no magic pill for childhood obesity. Overweight children are more likely to become overweight adults than children considered to be a healthy weight. Obese children are at a higher risk for many health risks associated with... More -
Louise Goldberg answered:Being overweight or obese has many negative consequences on a child that go beyond just the physical complications. It impacts them socially and emotionally. It is critical you take action now and make changes; however, it is also important that the child is not singled out in the family. Parents need to recognize and acknowledge their role (and responsibility) in the child's health and eating habits. As a family unit, evaluate what you all eat and determine what changes you can make together. You can start small-it could be a combination of physical activity all together after dinner (go for a walk, play ball, etc.) and agreeing to eat [a healthy meal] at home several nights each week. If you aren't sure where to start, contact a dietitian for guidance (www.eatright.org and click on "Find A Dietitian"). Your child knows what is important to you. Make healthy eating habits and healthy lifestyle top of the list and he will too.
Being overweight or obese has many negative consequences on a child that go beyond just the physical complications. It impacts them socially and emotionally. It is critical you take action now and make changes; however, it is also important that the... More -
Jim White of Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics answered:If your child is overweight it is definitely something that you should be concerned about and take initiative to help them. I recommend that instead of just singling out your child, stay active yourself and eat healthier along with them. Encourage your child to find a sport that they enjoy to play or other activities that are higher intensity. Also encourage them to eat healthier. Make sodas and desserts a treat and not a common thing to eat. Helping your child become healthier is not going to be a change that happens overnight but over time they will become healthier, have more energy and they will reduce the risk of developing other diseases that come with being overweight.
If your child is overweight it is definitely something that you should be concerned about and take initiative to help them. I recommend that instead of just singling out your child, stay active yourself and eat healthier along with them. Encourage... More -
Laura Motosko answered:Focus as a family on healthy habits to maintain a healthy weight including a nutrient dense diet, fun physical activity and decreased television, computer and video game time. A balanced diet is important for adequate growth and development, learning, behaving well and a healthy weight to prevent chronic disease.
A child should be offered 3 meals per day and frequent snacks of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, healthy fats such as olive oil, proteins including lean meat, nuts, legumes, beans, soy or dairy and reduced saturated fat, sodium and sugar in packaged and processed foods. Water should be the primary beverage, with juice limited to about 6 ounces per day. Children begin to have risk factors for heart disease such as plaque in the arteries after two years of age. Fat should not be limited, for example whole milk should be offered before 2 years of age, for adequate brain development. A reduced calorie diet is rarely prescribed due to the nutrients needed for growth.
It is important to see your pediatrician to monitor your child's blood pressure, check blood fat levels of LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and triglycerides, to assess risk factors for early heart disease and monitor growth and development.
Focus as a family on healthy habits to maintain a healthy weight including a nutrient dense diet, fun physical activity and decreased television, computer and video game time. A balanced diet is important for adequate growth and... More -
RealAge answered:The following issues are important to consider if your child is gaining weight:
- Determine cause of weight gain. Possible causes to consider are activity level decline, nutrition changes, changes due puberty, adolescent changes, stress, peer pressure, medications, and medical conditions (such as genetic syndromes and endocrinologic diseases, but only 5% or so of patients will have these).
- Evaluate diet of family and child. Consider not only breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but also snacking habits, desserts and sweets, dining out.
- Evaluate activity levels of family and child. Include playing actively, team and individual sports, walking to and from school, recess activities, and family activities.
- Evaluate mental and emotional state of child. Self-esteem, body image, confidence level, stress levels, depression, willingness to make a change.
From Good Kids, Bad Habits: The RealAge Guide to Raising Healthy Children by Jennifer Trachtenberg.
Find out more about this book: Good Kids, Bad Habits: The RealAge Guide to Raising Healthy Children
The following issues are important to consider if your child is gaining weight: Determine cause of weight gain. Possible causes to consider are activity level decline, nutrition changes, changes due puberty, adolescent changes, stress, peer... More
