A Guide to Prevent Childhood Obesity

Obesity in children has grown tremendously in last two decades, and the disturbing fact is that the number is still rising. Childhood obesity is now being considered an epidemic, and the generation next faces many serious health issues including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, hypertension, and many other severe health issues arising from childhood obesity.

Ways To Prevent Childhood Obesity

Focusing on childhood obesity and increasing the awareness regarding it is the first step to deal with this serious worldwide issue. Obese children have negative eating habits and sedentary lifestyle that carries on through their adulthood. One quarter of children in the developed countries are struggling with their weight and other issues associated with obesity. Formerly, the health effects of obesity were more prominent in older people, but these days, even children are developing serious health conditions caused by more weight.

These days, many kids waste their spare time in watching television, playing video games and surfing the net. One of the best ways to prevent childhood obesity is to engage them in physical activity everyday. These days, as both the parents are working in most of the families, they don’t have time to spend with kids, or help them make healthy food and lifestyle choices.

To prevent childhood obesity, do not force your child to eat if not hungry, and never insist on finishing the entire food in the plate. Do not use food as reward or to comfort your child. Parents usually bring sweets or chocolates to their children, but it is better to avoid these practices. Limit the outings of kids to fast food restaurants, and try to prepare fresh meals at home. Offer nutritious snacks such as fruits, vegetables, whole grain foods and so on.

To prevent childhood obesity, pediatricians should calculate and plot child’s BMI once a year, and then use the BMI change to identify any excessive weight gain. Schools can play an important role to prevent childhood obesity by offering foods and beverages having more nutritional value. The dependence on snack bars, vending machines and school stores must be reduced. The school authorities must emphasize on daily activities for personal fitness.

As a parent, if you think your child is becoming overweight, schedule an appointment with the pediatrician. To prevent childhood obesity, you can also enroll the child in childhood obesity program where the focus is to develop the child-mentally, physically and socially. These programs emphasize on living an active life, adopt healthy ways, and help children recognize their own worth.

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