Nearly 34 percent of children in the U.S. are overweight or obese as of 2008, according to the CDC. Like adults, overweight children are more likely to develop high cholesterol, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, diabetes, joint abnormalities, depression and low self esteem. Children are not little adults, however, so choosing a safe diet plan and appropriate weight goals is paramount. Some diets, especially fad diets, omit foods and nutrients that are essential for a child's growth, development and mental functioning. Before attempting to help your overweight or obese child lose weight, consult a doctor and dietitian, if possible, to establish realistic goals and rule out underlying health problems.
Weight-Loss Goals
The extent of your child's weight problem will help determine weight-loss goals. An overweight child who has not developed obesity-related medical problems, for example, may simply need to slow or halt their speed of weight gain. As height catches up, weight for height comparisons will normalize. A severely obese child or a child experiencing weight-related problems like high blood pressure may need to lose, rather than simply stall, weight gain through a medically-supervised program.
Diet Plans
For parents not ready to try a full diet makeover, a no concentrated sweets diet can benefit overweight kids who are going overboard on sugar. This is not a calorie-controlled diet, but it can help parents re-evaluate the amount of sugar and junk food consumed. The diet restricts foods like cakes, candies, regular soda and other sugar-laden foods.
Other diet plans that can be modified for children include the Step I diet from the National Cholesterol Education Program. This diet would be especially helpful for overweight children with high cholesterol, although assessment for adequate fat intake by a registered dietitian is recommended. A similar diet, the DASH, or Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension diet, can be appropriate for overweight children with high blood pressure. This diet is especially nutritious for children because it includes lots of fruits, vegetables and dairy products.
Diet and Exercise Programs
Several diet and exercise group programs for children emerged in the late 1990s. Reputable programs work toward changing the entire family's eating style and fitness routine. Medical problems or psychiatric disorders may exclude participation, and program participation can be expensive. Long standing programs include SHAPEDOWN, Kid Shape and Let's Eat Smart, Then Exercise Right.
Hospital- or Clinic-Based Programs
Hospital-based weight management programs can be expensive and hard to find. Although programs vary, many set eligibility requirements for children who are higher than the 95th percentile BMI for age. For those lucky enough to access these programs, the intervention provided can be phenomenal. Programs almost always include a physician, registered dietitian, mental health professional, exercise physiologist and other obesity specialists. Visits usually involve physical and health assessments, blood work, nutritional assessments and psychological assessments in addition to weight and height measures. Program staff will guide families toward realistic goals, tailor a nutrition and diet plan, teach self monitoring and sometimes include group physical activities. These programs boast impressive results in follow-up studies, such as a 20 percent weight reduction among one-third of participants in Healthworks!, a Cincinnati Children's Hospital-based program.
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