Being overweight is hard enough as an adult, but for a child it can be a nightmare. Besides the teasing and bullying at school, overweight children are at greater risk for developing self-esteem problems and serious diseases like type 2 diabetes, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Helping your child overcome being overweight or obese takes simple steps but lots of hard work.
Talk to Your Doctor
All children grow at different rates, so it can be difficult at times to know if your child is truly overweight. That's why the National Institutes of Health recommend that you talk to your doctor before putting your child on any type of weight-loss program. Not only can your doctor help you know if and to what extent your child is overweight, he can give advice on how best to tackle your individual child's problems. Your doctor can also advise what a healthy weight-to-height ratio is for your child's age, which will give you a goal to shoot towards.
Focus on Food
It's not just enough for overweight kids to eat less. They have to eat better, more balanced diets in order to lose weight, according to the National Institutes of Health. Eating better should become a way of life, not just a different food on their dinner plate. Kids who are educated about their food decisions become empowered to change their own lives. Help kids learn about the food pyramid and about the essential building blocks of a balanced diet, such as getting enough fruits, vegetables, whole grains and healthy dairy into their daily meals and snacks. Encourage kids to help parents come up with meals on their own so they can learn to create a balanced diet throughout the day. Children who empowered to make their own decisions are more likely to learn about diet and nutrition than kids who are given something to eat.
Get Active
All children should get at least 60 minutes of moderate physical activity every day, with most of that coming from aerobic exercises, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There aren't too many kids who want to run on a treadmill every day, so find activities for children they can enjoy, such as participating in team sports like soccer, basketball or baseball. Set limits on the amount of time kids spend watching TV, playing video games and surfing the Internet, and instead encourage them to get outside and play games or ride their bikes.
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