Overweight children are teased
Overweight or obese children are often caused by a psychological distress. Teasing about their appearance affects their confidence and self-esteem, and can lead to isolation and Depression. The number of obese children in the USA and UK has risen steadily over the past two decades. The obesity epidemic is now a major health concern.
According to a recent research, obese or overweight children are at increased risk from a number of serious health problems more usually seen in adulthood, including hardened and blocked arteries (coronary artery diseases), High blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes (a disease in which pancreas does not produce enough insulin). When they grow up, they are more likely to be obese. This means a higher risk of heart attack and stroke, type 2 diabetes, bowel cancer, and high blood pressure in adulthood. The risk of health problems increases the more overweight one becomes.
Why are more children obese?
Very few children become overweight because of an underlying medical problem. Research indicates that children are more likely to be obese if their parents are obese. However, it's thought that most children put on excess weight because their lifestyles include an unhealthy diet and a lack of physical activity.
It is certainly easier for children to become obese than ever before in developed countries. High-calorie foods, such as fast food and confectionery, are abundant, relatively cheap and heavily promoted, specifically at children.
Exercise is so good for children, but it's no longer a regular part of everyone's day - some children never walk or cycle to school, or play any kind of sport. It is now usual for children to spend hours in front of a television or computer.
What is a healthy weight for a child?
It may be difficult for you to tell whether your child has temporary "puppy fat" or is genuinely overweight. In adults, a simple formula (the body mass index, or BMI) is used to work out whether a person is the right weight according to their height. However, BMI is also not an appropriate measure for children, because they are still growing. Factors such as rate of growth, age and sex, and the BMI of other children of the same age must be taken into account when assessing your child's weight.
How to maintain a healthy weight?
According to experts, the overweight children should not be encouraged to actually lose weight, instead they should be encouraged to maintain their weight, so that they gradually grow into it as they get taller.
Children should never be put on a weight loss diet without medical advice as this can affect their growth. Unregulated dieting - particularly in teenage girls - is thought to lead to the development of eating disorders.
There isn't much evidence for the best ways to treat weight problems in children, but research indicates that focusing on making long-term improvements to diet and increasing physical activity may be the effective solution.
Helping children to achieve and maintain a healthy weight involves a threefold approach that encourages them to eat a healthy, well-balanced diet, make changes to eating habits, and increase physical activity. In 2004, it was recommended that at least 60 minutes of moderate physical activity a day is required for children to be away from obesity.
Don't you think it is probably easier to change a child's eating and exercise habits than it is to change an adult's? Definitely.
Eating habits
If you are concerned about your child's obesity then you need to change the attitudes and habits of the whole family towards food and exercise.
- Try to set a good example with your own eating habits.
- Provide meals and snacks at regular times to prevent "grazing" throughout the day.
- Don't allow your children to eat while watching TV or doing homework.
- Make mealtimes an occasion by eating as a family group as often as possible.
- Encourage children to 'listen to their tummies' and eat when they are hungry rather than out of habit.
- Teach children to chew food more slowly and savor the food, as they will feel fuller more quickly and be less likely to overeat at mealtimes.
- Don't keep lots of high-fat, high-sugar snack foods in the house.
- Don't make outings for fast foods part of the weekly routine.
- Try to get your children involved in preparing food as this will make them more aware of what they are eating.
Physical activity
Medical experts recommend a gradual increase in physical activity, such as brisk walking, to at least an hour a day.
- Encourage walking to places such as school and the shops, rather than always jumping in the car or bus.
- Suggest going to the park for a kick around with a football, or a game of rounders, cricket or frisbee.
- Visit a local leisure centre to investigate sports and team activities to get involved in.
- Make exercise into a treat by taking special trips to an adventure play park or an ice skating rink, for example. Involve the whole family in bike rides, swimming and in-line skating.
- When it is safe to do so, teach your child to ride a bike.
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