Children that are overweight or suffer from childhood obesity are at an increased risk of developing medical problems later in life, states the KidsHealth.org from the Nemours Foundation. These problems include sleep apnea, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and depression. However, helping your child lose weight can be a tricky thing. You should never degrade or ridicule a child as a way to get her to lose weight. Instead, you should focus on leading a healthier lifestyle as an entire family.
Step 1
Give your child breakfast each morning. A low-fat breakfast meal, such as low-fat yogurt with fruit or whole-grain cereal with reduced-fat milk, gives the child energy and reduces the risk of him binging on unhealthy food later in the day.
Step 2
Eat more fruits and vegetables. A child should have five servings of fruits and vegetables per day. If you have a finicky eater, bring her along to the grocery store and allow her to pick out her favorites. Some snack ideas that use fruit and vegetables include cut up apple slices with peanut butter, carrot sticks with low-fat dressing and mixed fruit salad.
Step 3
Reduce the amount of saturated and trans fat in the foods you serve your child. Stay away from fried meals, fatty cuts of beef, bacon, fast food, chips and sweets. Fats should come from healthy sources, such as fish, nuts and avocado.
Step 4
Serve water to drink. Soda and fruit juice add a lot of empty calories to a child’s diet. Give him water when your child requests a drink. Other low-calorie alternatives include low-fat milk and low-fat chocolate milk.
Step 5
Exercise with your child for at least 60 minutes per day. Chidlren should spend at least an hour per day being physically active. Examples of activities you can do include playing tag, picking up a game of basketball and taking bike rides together.
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