Childhood weight complications solutions: Treating obesity and overweight in children
Addressing childhood weight complications may be different in relation to adults for various reasons. The following are some of the treatment observations often made when addressing childhood weight complications.
- The main way to treat a child who is overweight or obese is to look at changes that can be made to their lifestyle.
- Preferably changes targeting the involvement of the whole family are best.
- Other family members who are overweight may also benefit at the same time.
- Remember that as a parent you act as an important role model for your child and you can help them to stay healthy.
- The two main lifestyle changes that are advised for your child include, eating more but healthily and doing plenty of physical activity.
- Small, gradual changes may be best. Your child will then be more likely to stick to these changes with time.
From her decades of experience, doctor Dalal Akoury MD, President and founder of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center advices that parents must endeavor to be involved as much as possible in helping their children make these changes. Nonetheless, some older teenagers may prefer to take responsibility on their own. Think about how your child’s progress is going to be monitored. Discuss this with their healthcare professional. At every opportunity, give applause and reassure to your child in what they are doing.
Childhood weight complications solutions: Healthy eating
And like I have mentioned, overweight children should be encouraged to eat more healthily and to reduce the total number of calories that they eat.
Parents should take the responsibility for making changes to their children’s diet, more so when such children are under the age of 12.
It is equally important to involve the child as much as possible and to listen to their ideas and preferences when deciding on what changes to make on their diet or menu.
It may also be advisable to keep a record of what your children feed on.
Childhood weight complications solutions: Physical activities
Experts recommend that children should do a minimum of 60 minutes of moderate physical activity every day. However it is important to note that these 60 minutes may not have to be done all at a go they can be broken up into 10- or 15-minute blocks. The amount of time the children spend doing sedentary activities, such as watching television, using computers, or playing video games should be discouraged and probably reduced to less than two hours each day. Parents should encourage their children to become more physically active by:
- Encourage active play for your child, including games that involve moving around, such as skipping, dancing, running or ball games.
- Encourage your child to spend less time sitting doing sedentary activities.
- Build physical activity into your child’s life in general. Try to be more active as a family. For example, walking or cycling to school and the shops, going swimming or to the park together.
- As a parent remember to be a good role model for your children.
- Help children to take part regularly in structured physical activities that they enjoy like dancing, football or other sports or swimming.
Childhood weight complications solutions: Psychological support
As mentioned above, being overweight or obese as a child may lead to psychological problems for some children. Therefore parents should be able to discuss with their children about their feelings. This way you will be able to understand their challenges and be of help to them. Alongside that involving your child’s healthcare professional who are experts in counseling is very important. Remember that these specialists will help the children to increase confidence and self-esteem and to develop coping strategies for teasing or bullying where possible.
Childhood weight complications solutions: Treating obesity and overweight in children
