According to the Centers for Disease Control, CDC, obesity in children has tripled over the past 30 years. As of 2010, between 16 percent and 33 percent of children and adolescents were obese, which is defined by a weight 10 percent or more higher than the ideal body weight for a child of a certain age and height, as stated by the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry.
Significance of Obesity
Obesity typically begins to become a problem in early childhood, around age 5 or 6. Childhood obesity increases the risk of a number of health problems, including high cholesterol, high blood pressure, increased risk of heart disease, respiratory problems, diabetes and joint problems. Children who deal with obesity also often have problems with self-esteem and are at risk for psychological problems. Childhood obesity can be a lifelong problem. A child who is obese between the ages of 10 and 13 has an 80 percent chance of becoming an obese adult, according to the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry.
Increased Portion Sizes
Obesity is thought to be a multifactorial problem, with genetics, eating habits and cultural factors all playing a role. Portion sizes have increased along with obesity over the past several decades and may contribute to the increase in calories consumed by children. Several factors may contribute to increased portion size, including an increased frequency of meals eaten outside the home, meals eaten quickly and meals eaten in front of the television or computer.
Features of Portion Control
In theory, decreasing portion sizes is easy, but many people do not realize what a child should be eating. Portion control requires planning meals in advance and understanding how much of each food group your child should be consuming. The bulk of your child's diet should come from whole grains, fruits and vegetables. For example, a 10 year old who requires 1,800 calories per day should eat approximately 6 ounces of whole grains, 2.5 cups of vegetables, 1.5 cups of fruit and 3 cups of milk. This child only requires approximately 5 ounces of meat and healthy fats such as olive oil and avocado used sparingly. Processed foods such as potato chips, cookies and cake are to be used rarely, and not on a daily basis.
Benefits
Portion control is a particularly effective means of obesity prevention because it is a behavioral modification that can become a life-long habit. As stated by the Centers for Disease Control, healthy lifestyle habits such as eating nutritious foods in moderate quantitities can lower the risk of becoming obese and of developing complications associated with obesity.
Considerations
While controlling childhood obesity is important for your child's physical and emotional well-being, it is also necessary to avoid focusing on your child's weight. If your child is struggling with obesity, be sure to focus on his strengths and emphasize positive qualities. If your child has emotional difficulties related to weight issues, a child or adolescent psychiatrist can be a helpful addition to your child's health-care team.
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