How to Help Your Kids Avoid the Dangers of Obesity

August 23, 2007 12:45 PM
By Susan Parsons MD

Childhood obesity is a growing problem. In fact, the numbers are startling! According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 19% of grade school aged children are considered obese. More than 17% of teens meet the criteria for obesity. Even more kids are considered to be overweight.

How do you know if your child is obese? A BMI that falls in the 95th percentile for age is classified as obese. A BMI greater than 30, no matter what the percentile, is also considered obese. The term “overweight” is applied to those kids with BMIs between the 85th and 95th percentile.

Obesity in childhood is associated with poor self-esteem and social stigma. In addition, obesity-related health problems can be seen even at a young age.

Overweight children and teens are more likely to have:

  • High blood pressure
  • High cholesterol
  • Type 2 diabetes (formerly called adult onset)
  • Sleep apnea
  • Asthma
  • Fatty liver

What’s more, they are likely to face a lifetime of obesity and poor health. What can you do if your child is overweight?

It’s vitally important to help your child develop a healthy lifestyle ... and the earlier in life, the better. This includes good nutrition as well as regular activity to promote fitness. You can help your child develop a set of tools he can use as he grows to adulthood and beyond.

Here are some suggestions:

  • You are an important ingredient in your child’s success. It’s important that you get involved and take charge … before it’s too late.
  • Ban sugary drinks in your household. Promote water as the drink of choice.
  • Limit television watching. Long periods of inactivity in front of the TV set are linked to obesity.
  • Promote participation in sports and other forms of exercise, with an emphasis on fun rather than competition.
  • Make sure your child doesn’t skip breakfast.
  • Ditch the junk food, especially those made with high fructose corn syrup or trans fats. Instead, provide healthy meals and snacks, emphasizing fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds, whole grains, and low fat dairy.
  • Avoid shaming your child or damaging his or her self-esteem. You don’t want to turn the battle of the bulge into a contest of wills between you and your child. Instead, provide encouragement and positive feedback.
  • Set a good example for your children. If they see you eating healthy food, monitoring your weight, and participating in active fun, they will be more likely to model your behavior.
  • Consider a weight loss behavioral management program. You can discuss this option with your child’s physician. An online weight loss program designed just for kids is the award-winning TrimKids, available through eDiets.com. This excellent program is highly recommended for concerned parents of overweight kids ages 6 – 19.

Comments

I suggest parents have a talk to their children on the dangers of obesity as early as possible.

I also think that parents should not force their child to diet for fear that the child may develop psychological problems such as anorexia or bulimia. Instead try on a healthy diet with a focus on veggies.

Posted by Gyanish Gungaram | August 23, 2007 1:28 PM

well it is my little brother and sister . Ages 10 & 7 well my parents give any thing that they want and well me being older know that they are going to get over weight becouse i am over weight my self . and well i dont want them to go through hard times of growing up over weight what can i do I do cook the dinners but i do not buy the food i just cook what is in the home .

Posted by christina | September 6, 2007 1:13 AM