Prevention is the first step in the battle against childhood obesity. Ways to prevent your child from gaining too much weight include limiting intake of sugar-sweetened beverages to one serving a day and encouraging him to eat slowly. However, if you're child measures higher than 95th percentile on the national weight chart he is already considered overweight, according to Family Doctor. Don't despair; there are ways to help him lose the extra pounds.
Diet
Controlling what your child eats is the first step in helping her lose weight. Keep Kids Healthy assures parents that you don't have to stress about every calorie. The site equals one pound of body weight to 3500 calories. If you can eliminate 50 calories from his diet every day, he will lose 5 pounds a year. If you cut 100 calories out of your child's diet every day he will lose 10 pounds in a year. That is almost a pound a month. The website lists some simple ways to cut calories from your child's diet. Monitor what he eats and you will start to see where extra calories are hidden. Snacks before bedtime and non-diet drinks are smart places to start cutting. Also, serve him moderate portions at mealtime instead of large servings.
Don't eliminate healthy food from your child's diet. He needs daily portions of fruits and vegetables, milk and dairy products, protein-rich foods like nuts and whole-grain foods to grow and develop.
Exercise
Get your child off the couch and exercising. Exercise is a fun and effective way for your child to lose weight. Start slowly if she isn't used to a lot of physical activity. Be patient and supportive.
Family Doctor suggests encouraging your child to join school teams. The site also recommends family activity time. Go for a family walk or bike ride every evening. Your child will enjoy exercise more if she is doing it with her family or friends.
Emax Health lists jumping rope, playing tag, dancing, washing the car and doing yard work as other ways to help your child lose weight. Creating healthy habits now will lead to a lifetime of fitness.
Be a Good Role Model
Your little one watches everything you do and looks to you for guidance. He mimics your habits more than you realize. If you eat well, your child will adopt those smart eating habits. If you exercise, your child will be more apt to join you or start his own exercise program. The benefits of setting a good example are two-fold. You will both lose weight and get in shape and you can bond with your child over the shared activity.
Talk to your Child's Pediatrician
If your child is exercising and eating well but can't seem to shed those extra pounds consult her physician. She may have a hormonal imbalance or metabolic disorder. Your child may be on a medicine that is causing weight gain. Your physician may be able to suggest ways to regulate your child's system and help her lose weight.
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