Estimates of the number of children in the United States who are either overweight or obese continue on the rise. This situation is even more alarming in children than it is in adults. There is an increase in the likelihood of complications for the simple reason that the child is obese for a longer period of time than the adult.
Why are so many of our kids overweight? Several factors appear to come into play:
Causes:
low birth weightmaternal obesity during pregnancymaternal diabetes during pregnancysmoking during pregnancylimited or poor information about healthy eatingpeer pressure to indulge in high-calorie, high-fat foods and drinkspoor dietary modelinglow self-esteemsocial difficulties
Obese children are prone to physical and emotional complications:
Results:
poor muscle and bone developmentsleep disturbances, such as sleep apneapre-diabetic insulin resistancehigh cholesterol and triglyceridespredisposition to chronic diseases as adults
Of significance is the fact that the longer a child is allowed to remain obese, the greater the likelihood of lifetime obesity. It is crucial that steps be taken as early as possible to intervene in the dietary habits of children.
What You Can Do:
It's not so "simple" however as putting the child on a diet. The child is still growing in terms of physical and neurological development.
One must be careful in interfering with metabolism unless there is a sound scientific foundation underlying all decisions pertaining to the food intake. The physician must be consulted so a plan may be constructed which will help the child to lose weight without compromising health.
While it is essential that "no harm be done", it will not hurt the child to begin a pattern of healthy eating (most likely the entire family will benefit from a new food lifestyle). No harm will come to the child from the following measures:
• three regular meals per day supplemented with healthful midmorning and mid-afternoon snacks (fruit, vegetables, nuts, reduced fat cheese, milk, whole wheat breads and cereals)
• a meal plate that is one-half fruits and vegetables, one-fourth protein, and one-fourth whole grain pasta or bread. (No second helpings please)
• elimination of sugar-sweetened beverages of all kind
• no "multi-tasking" while eating (computer, video, TV, texting).
And, get the child moving... games, sports, walking or any other moderate activity that will burn calories and rev up the metabolism
The first goal in helping the child to lose weight is to stop the gain. If the child doesn't gain one pound, you should look at that as weight loss of a pound.
Seek the assistance of your physician or call the local hospital to inquire about meeting with the dietitian. Ask if the hospital sponsors weight loss seminars.
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