SAEDNEWS: Treatment and weight reduction in children depend on their age and other medical conditions. Usually, treatment involves changes in the child's diet and level of physical activity.
According to SAEDNEWS, In children under 7 years of age who do not have any other health problems, the main goal of treatment is usually to maintain their current weight. With this approach, as the child grows taller while their weight remains stable, their BMI for age gradually moves into the desirable range.
However, for an overweight child, maintaining weight and waiting for height gain can be as challenging as losing weight in adults.
Weight loss is usually recommended for children over 7 years old or younger children who have obesity-related health problems. Weight reduction in these children should be slow and steady. Depending on the child’s condition, losing about 0.45 kilograms per week or month may be appropriate.
The methods for maintaining weight or losing weight are similar. In both cases, it is necessary for your child to follow a healthy eating plan and increase physical activity. Your child’s success depends on your commitment to helping them make these lifestyle changes. Healthy eating habits and exercise are two sides of the same coin, and both must be considered for success.
Parents are the ones who buy food, prepare meals, and decide where food is eaten. Even small changes can have a significant impact on your child’s health.
When shopping for food, choose fruits and vegetables and avoid other high-calorie and high-fat foods. Try to always have healthy snacks available and never use food as a reward or punishment.
Limit sugary drinks. Commercial fruit juices often contain very few nutrients compared with their high calorie content. Drinking these beverages may also reduce your child’s appetite for healthier foods.
Try to eat meals together as a family at the same table, and make mealtime an opportunity to share family news and talk with each other. Do not allow your child to eat in front of the television or computer, as this can lead to eating quickly and being less aware of how much food is consumed.
Limit eating out, especially at fast-food restaurants. Unfortunately, the menus of many of these restaurants contain foods that are high in calories and fat.
Physical activity is one of the most important parts of a weight management program, especially for children. Exercise not only helps burn more calories but also builds strong bones and muscles, improves sleep quality at night, and increases energy during the day. Developing these habits during childhood can help maintain a healthy weight in adulthood despite hormonal changes and social factors that may often contribute to overeating. Active children are more likely to maintain a healthy body shape as adults.
Limit screen time to less than 2 hours a day:
One effective way to increase a child’s physical activity is to reduce the amount of time spent watching television. Other inactive activities, such as playing computer games or talking on the phone, should also be limited.
Focus on physical activity rather than exercise:
Your child’s activity does not have to be a structured exercise program. The goal is simply to keep them moving. Games such as hide-and-seek or jumping rope can also improve fitness and help burn calories.
Find activities your child enjoys:
For example, if your child enjoys art, take them on nature walks where they can collect leaves and stones to use in making a collage. If they enjoy reading, walk or cycle with them to the local library to borrow books.
Be active yourself if you want your child to be active:
Find activities that you can do together as a family. Never let exercise become a boring or repetitive task, and never use it as a form of punishment.
Make physical activity varied:
Allow your child to choose their daily or weekly activities. Playing with a ball, bowling, and swimming all count as physical activities. The important thing is that your child stays active.
