It offers a rational guideline for weight loss in children without risk to their health or well-being.
There are two simple explanations for the rise in childhoodobesity: too many calories and too little physical activity.
But as parents well know, that’s easier said than done.
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Rather than losing weight, a good first goal may be to simply stop gaining weight.
Children will do the same if parents force aggressive changes in their eating and exercise habits.
Extreme changes like these only set a child up for failure.
A better approach is to focus on incremental changes with a clear set of long-term goals.
Not Upping Physical Activity
Exercise levels should never plateau.
Allowing your child to engage in the same level of activity week after week will get them nowhere.
Your kids may whine and complain at first but will eventually be forced to engage in other activities.
Work with your child to figure out what physical or outdoor activities appeal to them.
By finding something they enjoy, they will most likely stick with it.
This is never easy, particularly if some members of the family are heavy and others are not.
If your kids skip meals, their metabolism and energy levels can plummet.
It is important to stress from an early age the importance of eating three meals per day.
Getting family members involved can also go a long way toward motivating a child.
It not only gives them examples to follow but makes them feel less isolated.
As a parent, it helps to track both of these things.
There may be other reasons for their inability to lose weight.
Weight loss is ultimately about burning more calories than you eat.
These are often offered by local hospitals and community-based family health centers.
Weight Watchers offers programs for children between 10 and 16.
A parents signature and a doctor’s referral are required.
The program involves in-person meetings and one-on-one support.
Unlike the adult program, children cannot attend online meetings.
Working With a Registered Dietitian
Aregistered dietitiancan tailor a program to your childs unique needs and limitations.
Getting a Health Coach
There are paid online coaching programs that may help children with obesity.
This company bases its coaching on research done at Stanford University and other leading colleges.
Coaches offer weekly remote support to check on progress and offer encouragement and advice.
Coaches are also available 24/7 by email or text.
In addition to your child’s pediatrician, there are other professionals experienced in childhood obesity and weight loss.
These include registered dieticians, kid-specific weight loss programs, and online health coaches.
One of the reasons why weight-loss programs fail in kids is that parents often set unrealistic goals.
Focus on incremental changes, and get the entire family involved in the effort.
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Bulbul S.Exercise in the treatment of childhood obesity.Turk Pediatri Ars.
What should we better investigate in the future?.Nutrients.
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Childhood obesity facts.
Updated January 29, 2018.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Helping your child who is overweight.
