If your child's doctor has recommended that he lose weight, don't be alarmed. Help him change his eating and exercise habits while he's young to avoid more serious weight issues later on. By rearranging the way your family eats and spends time together, you can help your child lose weight and develop healthy habits for the future. Talk to your doctor before changing your child's diet or exercise plan.
Serve Breakfast
Even though giving your child breakfast every morning may seem counter-intuitive to losing weight, it will help her stay full throughout the morning. Instead of feeding your child cereal, pancakes, bagels or other refined carbohydrates for breakfast, stick with a protein-filled meal, such as an egg-white omelet with veggies. If your child doesn't have time to eat breakfast at the table, pack a nutritious breakfast like a container of low-fat yogurt and a plastic baggie of nuts or sunflower seeds that she can eat on the way to school.
Play Outside Every Day
Work exercise into your child's everyday routine. Don't command that he go outside and play by himself. Instead, play basketball with him for an hour before dinner or go for a bike ride after school. Set things up so your child will look forward to spending time with you -- and get active at the same time.
Eat Meals Together
Encourage family meals by eating as many meals around the table as possible together. Cook fresh fruits and vegetables, lean protein like fish and chicken, and whole-grain carbohydrates, like whole-wheat pasta and brown rice. Do not restrict your child's meal -- give him the same foods as everyone else. If your child is overweight, your entire family should change their eating habits, too.
Exercise as a Family
Use weekends as a chance to spend quality time with your child and burn some calories at the same time. Instead of spending Saturday sitting in front of the TV, set out on a hiking trip or go canoeing. Stick with activities that are fun for your child. Rather than a family trip to the gym to run on the treadmill, head to the high-school track and have a race.
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