Results from the 2003-2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, or NHANES, using measured heights and weights, indicate that an estimated 17 percent of children and adolescents ages 2 to 19 are overweight. Almost one out of every five children in the United States is overweight, and this number is still growing. The percentage of overweight children has more than doubled in the last 30 years.
Solving Your Child's Weight Problem
While your children probably have fewer weight-related health and medical problems than most adults, your overweight child is at high risk of becoming an overweight adolescent and eventually an overweight adult, placing them at risk of developing chronic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes later in life.
The Mayo Clinic summed up the problem simply by stating that, "Childhood obesity is caused by eating too much and exercising too little." They remind parents that you should not single out your overweight child and instead make eating healthy and increasing activity a family affair. The American Academy of Pediatrics provides a short list of suggestions that you as parents may utilize when addressing this problem: Limit your child's television and Internet surfing to two hours daily; have your child eat five portions of fruits and vegetables per day; your child needs at least one hour of physical activity a day; make sure your child eats breakfast every day; limit your child's consumption of sugar or high-fructose corn syrup-sweetened beverages; eat your family meals together and prepare foods for your meals at home as a family.
Implementing Your Child's Weight-Loss Program
The AAP recommend starting small with gradual changes such as turning off your television during meals, switching your child from drinking soda or soft drinks to water or skim milk and taking a walk with your whole family after dinner at least once a week. In addition they recommend setting goals for both your child and your whole family, recognizing triggers that may cause your child's return to their old habits, celebrate your child's success with healthy rewards, keep it positive and stay flexible.
Creating a healthy weight environment for your children by keeping healthy foods on hand, reducing or eliminating fast food meals for your children, getting them involved with shopping for healthy food and preparing healthy meals and building physical activity into their daily routine such as washing your family car, walking the dog or taking a family bike ride.
Becoming a Positive Role Model for Your Overweight Child
Becoming a positive role model for your children and committing to these changes as parents is one of the best methods of encouraging this behavior in your overweight child. It is important that you demonstrate the importance of healthy lifestyle changes rather than a number on the scale.
Accepting your children unconditionally is extremely important since, according to Cleveland Clinic, "Children's feelings about themselves often are based on their parents' feelings about them and if you accept your children at any weight, they will be more likely to feel good about themselves." In addition they stated that, "It is also important to talk to your children about their weight, allowing them to share their concerns with you."
Final Thoughts
Remember, your overweight children often feel self conscious about trying activities where they may not perform well or that might embarrass them as a result of their weight. Also, do not use food as a reward or punishment and make sure your children eat balanced meals when they are at school and other times when they are eating meals outside the home.
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