Until the new millennium obesity was typically an adult problem, now regrettably obesity is widespread amongst children and adolescents throughout the world. Each and every year the numbers of new cases being reported are increasing, giving rise to a new health fear.
The term obesity refers to an excess amount of body fat. However the guidelines for measuring obesity in children are difficult since no real tables exist. On average a child’s bodyweight 20% higher than the average for his height is considered obese.
Obesity in a child can cause serious health problems, both physically and emotionally. Unfortunately modern living is the main culprit here, an unhealthy diet and lack of exercise contributes to this growing obesity epidemic.
The good news however is that we can control this and help reverse the trend. By guiding our children towards a healthier and more nutritious diet plus introducing an enjoyable exercise program.
Once a child’s weight increases above their friends they can become concerned about their appearance and have trouble forming friendships at school. This is when parents must be highly supportive; never criticize your child’s weight. Encouragement and unconditional love is the best rule for parents to follow.
The first steps to take are for parents to accept that their lifestyle may be partly responsible. Children will follow an adult’s example, so before asking of your child to change, you must take the lead. The families eating habits is the best place to start.
Eat all meals at the table; try to stop your children snacking in front of the TV. Introduce new foods one at a time; do not ban all ‘fast food’ restaurants. An occasional outing for ‘junk food’ will do them or you no harm.
Apart from dietary changes, the biggest alteration to their lifestyle will be tearing them away from the TV, computer & video games to a new exercise regime. Now this does not have to be as hard as that sounds. Allow the internet, TV and anything else for a total of one hour a day.
Unfortunately the old-style physical education is hard to find at school these days. This puts the emphasis on the parents to discover, by talking with their child, what kind of sports they would like to participate in. Summer evenings and at weekends is a good time for the whole family to get out and about. Visit the parks or just jog around the neighborhood.
Results will take time; aim to reduce weight by just two pounds a month. Gradually the whole family will benefit from the introduction of a healthier lifestyle.
