Your Kid's Weight Depends On You: Lifelong Habits Start Early - They Affect Weight AND Health Issues

Government statistics show that children, like adults, are overweight, or even obese, and the problem is growing (pun intended). It is critical to the child's lifelong health and self-esteem to began a sensible approach to eating as soon as possible.

There are a variety of factors which come into play when considering causes of excess weight. For many children, a large part of the problem is sugar-sweetened beverages. Some of our kids are getting one-fourth or more of their recommended daily calories from soda! It is essential to eliminate, or at least reduce, these beverages from your child's daily life, starting today.

For other children, the primary problem is excessive portion sizes. The kids (and adults) have been accustomed to eating two or even three times the amount of food in one sitting that is advisable for health and weight control. Your child's physician can specifically advise you, but for most kids it is safe to cut their food intake at least by one-third.

Our children have become accustomed to multi-tasking and this includes how and when they eat. They scarf down their meals while working on the computer or texting their friends. They snack while playing video games. They "drink sugar" from mega-sized containers while they watch movies. Help your child (and yourself) by eliminating "mindless eating". When you eat, eat and nothing else!

A few of our children battle a compulsive habit called "binge eating" in which they feel a powerful internal desire to overeat. They actually crave the feeling of excessive fullness so they eat rapidly and ravenously until they are "ready to burst". These children have some awareness of the problem because it is often accompanied by feelings of guilt and a need to eat "in secret".

Once this pattern has begun, it is often fueled by any kind of emotional stress. This problem can, and should, be dealt with as soon as possible. It will require evaluation and intervention by your child's physician. Your kid's health and self-esteem are at stake.

Whatever the underlying cause for your child's excess weight, lifestyle changes will be needed. He or she most likely wants very much to lose weight but they don't have the foggiest clue how to begin. This is where you come in.

They need your help. It is a fair guess that the whole family could use some lifestyle changes insofar as eating habits are concerned. Whether overweight or not, we have all gotten into patterns of eating that are making us sick.

Start today with some relatively easy steps:

• eliminate sugar-sweetened beverages
• reduce portion sizes
• no second helpings
• fill the plate with half fruits and vegetables, one-fourth grains, one-fourth protein
• provide low or fat-free milk
• keep healthful snacks (fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, reduced fat cheese) readily available for "munchies"
• encourage family meals and walks together
• seek help from your doctor or a registered dietitian (available through the local hospital) if needed.

It's never too late (or too early) to begin habits of healthful eating that will last a lifetime.

Your child's excess weight depends on You. by Sue Bristol, R.N.

Here's the "Secret Weight Loss Diet" that virtually EVERY successful dieter uses
(Whether or not they are even aware of it!)

"Click Here" to get your Free e-book, which will give you the "Weight Loss Secret"
http://www.how-to-loseweight-101.com/index1.html

Original article

Deal With Childhood Weight Issues Before Real Problems Surface - BMI, And How To Control Weight

To determine childhood obesity a measurement called the BMI (body mass index) is used. While BMI is a practical way for adults to test for obesity, it is not necessarily safe to rely solely on this measurement for children. Remember, BMI is but one of the "tools" used by professionals.

The doctor, nurse, or dietitian needs to be involved because the obese child is a "moving target" in the sense that his need to lose weight may conflict with his need to gain weight the right kind of way. His or her body is growing and developing. Only a professional can determine the correct guidelines for your child, so be sure to consult one.

There are a variety of conditions may occur as a result of overweight or obesity. This is true for children and adults. There is also a danger that children may develop serious conditions as a result of dieting or undue focus on weight reduction. For example:

• Anorexia and bulimia. A child may become consumed with losing weight and develop either (or both) of these serious conditions. The anorexic child refuses to eat proper amounts and kinds of food; the bulimic will attempt to lose weight by means of induced vomiting and the use of laxatives.

• Depression and low self-esteem. The overweight child may feel poorly about his appearance to the extent that he is able to focus on nothing else...schoolwork, social experience, playing.

• Substance abuse. The overweight child, especially one who has become depressed, is at peril for drug abuse in an attempt to ease the stress.

In view of these frightening possibilities, it may be tempting to ignore the child's weight. This too is dangerous. The overweight child is at risk of developing the same conditions as the overweight adult: heart disease, diabetes, sleep and joint disorders, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. The child probably won't develop most of these during his early years but by the time he reaches adulthood he will have been "carrying the load" and challenging his health for a long time because of obesity. In addition, there is a tendency for the overweight child to mature earlier than peers, including irregular menstrual periods, and potential fertility problems as adults.

Once guidance from the physician has been sought the child can safely be put on a nutritionally sound, calorie restricted diet. At the same time, his caloric output can be increased by means of a modest exercise program. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children over the age of two get at least 60 minutes of physical activity per day.

Start today to help your child toward achieving a healthy weight by means of a safe and effective nutrition and physical exercise program.

Here is the correct diet plan, for your overweight child, and for your entire family.

Need help? I'll help you.

By Sue Bristol, R.N.

My e-Book will lead you through the way to make weight loss work for you, and your obese child, or spouse. Here's the "Secret Weight Loss Diet" that virtually EVERY successful dieter uses. (Whether or not they are even aware of it!)

"Click Here" to get your Free e-book, which will give you the "Weight Loss Secret" Kids shouldn't be obese.
http://www.how-to-loseweight-101.com/index1.html

Original article