Overweight Children - What Can A Parent Do To Help? Part 1 Of 5
The latest figures released in the US state that 15 percent of
children and teenagers are now considered overweight, up from 6%
20 years ago. Statistics in the UK are similar, and rising.
Whilst children starve in Africa, kids in the Western world are
lining up to suffer a frightening array of weight-related
illnesses, including skin and joint problems, early
osteoporosis, type II diabetes, bowel cancer, high blood
pressure, heart attack and strokes. Recent research also
suggests that obese kids are 77% more likely to suffer from
asthma.
And of course in a world where TV, movies, teenage sitcoms and
advertising all promote the ideal image and the "fat kid" is
often mocked and made the butt of all the jokes, many overweight
children will increasingly suffer from lack of confidence and
poor self-esteem, leading to isolation and possibly depression
in their teenage years.
Why do the numbers of overweight children keep going up?
* Portion sizes - at school, restaurants and home - keep growing
* Children have far more choice in what they eat (previous
generations ate what they were given, or went hungry)
* Food is much more easily available
* Kids' drinks, fizzy drinks and so-called "sports" drinks
abound
* Many snack foods and junk foods are specially targeted at
kids, advertised to kids on TV, of little nutritional value, and
far from "filling". Some nutritionists even suspect that
chemical additives can make your child crave more of particular
foods
* Fast food outlets have proliferated in recent years and
provide cheap, easy meals for time-stretched parents
* Kids expect "instant gratification" in many areas of their
lives, including food. Living with hunger pangs - even for an
hour - is no longer an option!
* Parents are often setting a bad example
* Children no longer walk or cycle to school - or much at all!
Outdoor activities are much less a part of their lives than in
previous generations
* Spare time is spent on more sedentary pursuits, such as
television, computers and video games, and even "texting". The
latest figures suggest that the average American teenager spends
a horrifying 4 to 5 hours a day watching television!
How can we help our overweight child to lose weight?
Firstly, it is important to be aware that there is no magic
formula and no instant solution. Your child will not be fit,
healthy and the perfect weight overnight! If, however, your
child eats sensibly and healthily and increases their physical
activities, they will "grow into" their weight.
Secondly, it is vital that any approach you choose does not make
your child feel different, guilty, victimised or unhappy in any
way. Young children who worry about their weight grow into
teenagers with eating disorders.
Thirdly, remember that by "banning" any foods you are likely to
create rebellious feelings even in younger children, and
disobeying your dictates may even turn into a game (or worse, a
shameful secret). You are never going to be able to totally
prevent a child from eating what he likes. If you forbid
chocolate in your own house, for example, you can be sure your
child will be eating it at friends' houses or at school if he
gets half the chance!
Parts 2, 3, 4 and 5 of this article suggest many ideas, tips and
tactics for tackling the issues an overweight child faces and
encouraging gentle and effective weight loss without damaging
your child's self esteem.