The Pediatric Weight Management Department at Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital reports that "excessive weight is the most prevalent nutritional disease among children and adolescents in the United States." As the concern over childhood obesity continues to rise, medical professionals warn of the risks of diabetes, heart disease and adult obesity.
Step 1
Visit the pediatrician's office. Before beginning any weight loss program, the pediatrician should assess your child's health and concerns associated with obesity. Your pediatrician may design a weight loss or control plan or refer your child to a dietitian. A trip to the doctor's office can help determine a steady, healthy and effective diet and exercise plan for your child.
Step 2
Insist on at least one hour of physical activity each day. Try to select an aerobic activity--any activity that will increase the heart rate and make your child breath harder. Select an activity or multiple activities that your child enjoys. Get your child dancing, walking, jogging, swimming, biking, jumping rope or using exercise DVDs.
Step 3
Shop and cook with your child. According to Dr. Robert A. Pretlow, author of "Overweight: What Kids Say," obesity is related to the fact that children do not understand how to make healthy eating decisions. Take your child to the grocery store and encourage him to choose some of his favorite healthy foods. After shopping, encourage your child to help you in the kitchen. When a child invests time in his meal, he will take pride in himself and will be more likely to eat healthy meals.
Step 4
A weight loss plan does not have to eliminate snacks altogether. Prepare healthy snacks in advance. If healthy snacks are prepared ahead of time--such as chopped celery with peanut butter--your child will be less likely to go for the candy bar that requires no preparing to eat. If your child is hungry between meals, encourage a light healthy snack. There is no need to be hungry between meals.
Tips and Warnings
- Model the lifestyle you want your child to engage in. Parents are a child's greatest role models. When your child exercises, exercise with her. If your child opts for a healthy snack, have a healthy snack with her. As a parent, you can make the weight loss process an enjoyable and educational experience.
References
- "Overweight: What Kids Say"; Robert A. Pretlow; 2010
- Penn State Hershey: Pediatric Weight Management
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