Children can struggle with weight issues just like adults. The method for encouraging weight loss in kids, however, is different from older folks. While adults can get a gym membership and cut their calorie counts significantly, these approaches do not work for children. Learn how to help your child lose weight in a manner that is constructed especially for his young age.
Fun Exercise
Kids need exercise to be fun in order to stay motivated. Parents can help their children become physically active by signing them up for sports or getting them involved in active games. Allow your child to choose from a variety of athletic endeavors until she finds one or more she genuinely enjoys. Talk with parents of your child's friends to get them involved in the same sports and teams so she has companionship and will feel less anxious trying something new. Having a friend actively participating will make your kid more likely to stick with it.
Fresh Foods
An overindulgence in soft drinks, fast food, cookies and candy can lead to obesity in a child. It can be tough to change your child's eating habits once he has become accustomed to a junk food diet, but it is essential. Gradually reduce the less healthy foods and replace them with fresh produce, fruit, lean meats, low-fat dairy products and whole grains. Keep Kids Healthy recommends cutting 100 calories a day if your child needs to lose 10 lbs. Allow your child to grocery shop with you and pick good foods. Avoid the chips and candy aisle. Teach your kid to cook with you so he will be involved in the preparation of food and will be more likely to try new items.
Stress Relievers
Stress is a common problem for adults, but many do not realize children can suffer from it as well. The presence of stress in the form of school pressures, difficulties dealing with peers and family issues can cause children to turn to food for comfort. Excessive eating, in turn, leads to weight gain which creates even more stress. Parents need to teach their children effective ways to deal with stress. Learning to communicate feelings is a chief way to reduce stress for children. Other methods that work well are physical activity and deep breathing practice. When the child's stress level is reduced, she is more likely to cease overeating.
Modeling
The American Heart Association recommends modeling healthy lifestyle habits to positively affect your child's health. It is essential that parents exhibit good eating habits in the presence of their children. Kids often respond more to what adults do than what they say. For instance, if your child witnesses you consuming large portions of fatty foods, he will likely engage in the same habit, but if he sees you consuming moderate amounts of low-fat nutritious foods, he will make better choices concerning what he eats. Likewise, parents who are physically active are more likely to have active children than those who lead a more sedentary lifestyle.
Member Comments