The American Heart Association notes that roughly one in three American children today is overweight. This epidemic is a significant issue both nationwide and locally. Doctors start looking at body mass index (BMI) in children at the two-year well-child visit. If your child is trending towards being overweight at an early age, your doctor will work with you to come up with a plan that addresses both nutrition and exercise, ensuring a healthy trajectory going forward. Because children naturally want to be active, most of these behaviors can be easily modified by motivated parents, reducing issues later in life.
Weight can be an emotional issue for all involved, and children become increasingly aware of this as they get older. It is important to communicate effectively with children about healthy lifestyle choices and try to structure family activities to appropriately encourage them. Your thoughts on weight issues may be different than those of your child, and it is important to reach a common ground because everyone internalizes the issue differently.
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Important: This content reflects information from various individuals and organizations and may offer alternative or opposing points of view. It should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. As always, you should consult with your healthcare provider about your specific health needs.