Helping a child lose weight is never an easy task. Rather than thinking about ways to force your son's weight loss, try to concentrate on how you can help him along the way. This make it easier on him, and it also is likely to strengthen your relationship with each other. Before you start, though, sit down and talk about it so you both agree on the program and the goals.
Show, Don't Tell
Probably the worst thing you can to help your son lose weight is to tell him he must do it. Even if he doesn't rebel against the idea, chances are he won't be able to stick to it for long, especially if he's doing it on his own. Instead, lead by example. Ensure that your son sees you eating healthy food, snacking on fruit rather than chips and drinking water throughout the day. According to the Family Doctor website, eating sit-down meals as a family also can help. If that is not possible every night, make it happen at least a few times a week. At the table, talk to each other as a family, rather than watching TV and ignoring what is on the plate in front of you.
Diet Changes
Children should not have more than one sugary drink a day, according to Family Doctor, and it's better if that serving comes from a cup of juice rather than from a can of soda. Water is best for a growing child, but you might have a hard time convincing him to drink only that every day. If that's the case, buy seltzer water, and add a couple of tablespoons of juice to the mix. This will flavor the water and make it easier to drink. Consult your doctor about how many calories your son should consume each day, then plan a menu around that number. Use a calorie table such as the one at the Family Doctor website to estimate an average consumption based on age and current weight. Then, get into the habit of reading labels so you can eliminate anything that contains high amounts of sugar and fat. Focus on vegetables, fruits, lean proteins and whole grains. If your son is of school age, make his school lunches using healthy fare so he doesn't have stop by a vending machine when hunger strikes.
Activity Level
If your son is good at a specific sport, or at least interested in learning a sport, enroll him in a weekend league or in training classes. The group setting can help him lose weight as much as the activity itself. If your son has no interest in sports, introduce daily activity as part of the family schedule. Go for bike rides on weekends, take a walk after dinner, or organize hiking and camping trips together. Eliminate outings that encourage eating or inactivity, whether that means movies or fast food. Limit the amount of TV your son watches, or make sure it equals the amount of time spent in active pursuits. For example, you can tell your child that for every hour he exercises or does something active, he will be allowed an hour of watching TV or playing video games.
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