Children
Your Child Has a Weight Problem. What You Can Do
By
Oct 1, 2006, 12:01

Studies have show us surprising results. One in six children (ages 6-19) is overweight, and 15% of all children in the U.S. are overweight. With these alarming statistics, it’s no suprise to me that parents are becoming more concerned about their children’s weight.

Obesity in children, as in anyone,can cause extreme health concerns, like diabetes, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, bone problems, and more. Childhood obesity also brings about depression, early puberty and poor self-esteem. These are all serious reactions to the problem of being overweight. And as a parent you should be concerned about your child’s weight.

You know your child is overweight, but if you think your child may be obese, you should make a doctors appointment as soon as possible.There are other things you can do in the meantime to help get your child's weight under control.

1. Less TV

Children are spending time watching television and less time playing outdoors, and being involved in sports. The greatest reason for the inactivity of children is that we live in a world filled with television, electronic games and computers. Because of the age of technology in which we live,children spend less time outside and much more time in front of a computer or tv.

2. Absolutly No Eating in Front of the TV

A very hard habit to break is eating in front of the tv. Make sure your family sits together at the dinner table while eating. As a mom, of course you want to feed your family healthy meals,and now you must make the time to do so. Involve the whold family in promoting a healthier meals and snacks.

3. Exercise

It doesn't have to be grueling! We all get the reaction of kids moaning and groaning when we say exercise, but it could really be a walk around the block after dinner, or a trip to the playground. What ever the exercise routine is try to make it fun. If your child is having fun, it is something they will want to do more often.

Jumping rope is a game that is great exercise, so is skating,sledding, and swimming. Tired of the walk after dinner? How about a trip to a zoo, it have the same result, it will just be a lot more fun, and it can include the entire family. Now that you have been give a few ideas, you will begin to think of all kinds of ways to include exercise in your daily activities as a family event. There are ways to make just about everything fun.

4. Stop Buying Junk Food

Substitue junk food with other foods. For example, instead of soda, get real fruit juice. Raw veggies in a dip made of yogurt and spices can be delicious, it may just be a matter of finding the right combination of seasonings to put in it. This is so much healthier than potato chips or nachos. Help your child learn that eating healthy foods is fun.

5. Work as a Team

Of course you don't want your overweight child to feel self-concious about their weight, so it will be best if you can involve everyone, most of the time. The weight issue has probably made your child, in some way, already feel isolated or different. That is the last thing your want to happen. Cook the same food for everyone, make it a goal to give your entire family heathly eating habits. This will help your child feel included rather than different, and it will be healthy for everyone.

6. Give Encouragement

Encourage your child everyday. Self-esteem plays a key factor in weight issues, especially among children. Remember to compliment them and praise them everyday. Make sure your child knows what a great job they are doing, and encourage them to keep up the good work, with you setting the example for them.

Always remember, your child did not wake up obese one day, it took a while to put the extra weight on and it will take a while to take it off. It is healthier to take weight off slowly. And when weight lose is done that way, it is less likely to be gained back. It will take extra effort everyday, but isn't your child's esteem and health worth it? And just imagine the slim and truly happy, healthy child you will have after all your efforts.

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