Childhood obesity is a major health threat to children, putting them at risk of hypertension, Type 2 diabetes, skin infections, eating disorders and heart disease in later years. It affects their self-image and self-esteem as well.
A study in the April 9, 2003 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association also reports that obese children have a significantly lower quality of life than other children – a quality of life similar to that experienced by childhood cancer patients!
Seriously overweight and obese children should be medically assessed and given treatment. But at home, parents play an equally crucial role in helping these children to stay healthy, feel loved and in control of their weight. Here are some suggestions to try.
Offer Healthier Food
Don’t be too strict about how much the child can eat. Instead, offer healthier food. If you don’t want the child to eat a particular food, don’t buy it. Don’t offer the “forbidden” food to other children in the family even if they don’t have a weight problem. Healthy food choices are for the entire family, not just the overweight child.
Exercise as a Family
Children will need motivation to exercise. And the best motivation comes from within the family. Get everyone to work out together. It doesn’t have to be strenuous. Playing in the park, riding bicycles, going to the beach and simple chores like gardening and walking the dog can be fun and healthy, especially when other family members take part in these activities.
Move the Focus away from the Weight
Don’t focus on the child’s weight. Laughing or belittling the child because of his weight should not be allowed. Make this clear to other family members. Praise the child when he does something right, particularly with regards to his eating habits and willingness to exercise, no matter how small the achievement is. Make sure the child knows he is well loved despite his obesity.
Avoid Food-Related Power Struggles
Some parents make the mistake of providing or withholding certain foods, for instance chocolate, ice cream or soft sugary drinks, as rewards or punishments. Give other forms of incentives instead. Trips to the playground, the beach or the bowling alley are much better options.
Emphasize Benefits of Healthy Living
Encourage healthy living by constantly talking about the benefits of doing certain activities and eating healthy foods. Read fun facts about fresh fruits to the child. Tell the child that frequent exercise is not only good for managing weight, it also helps keep the heart, lungs and other body organs stronger.
Keep Busy
Children tend to eat more when they are bored, lonely or depressed. Find ways to help the child beat these feelings. Keep them busy by giving them useful and healthy activities to do. It doesn’t always have to be physical activity. Painting, coloring, reading or any form of educational playtime can also shift the child’s attention away from food.
Be Patient
Weight loss does not happen overnight. Parents have to be patient and avoid restrictive diets for their obese children. Not only are restrictive diets inappropriate for children and may affect their growth, they can also easily backfire, causing the children to overeat even more. Parents should also frequently talk to the obese child to understand his feelings and help him find ways to cope without involving food.
If childhood obesity has already affected your family, be as supportive as possible to the child. Offering healthy food, exercising as a family, avoiding food-related power struggles, emphasizing the benefits of healthy living, keeping busy and being patient with the child are all useful ways parents can help the child.
Those who find this article useful may also be interested to read Healthy Weight for Kids, Preventing Childhood Obesity and Winter Fitness for Kids.
References:
McVeagh, Dr. Patricia and Reed, Eve. Kids Food Health. Sydney: Finch Publishing, 2001.
WebMD Medical References – Childhood Obesity
Mayo Clinic Website – Childhood Obesity
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