Battle Childhood Obesity as a Family

Overweight children and childhood obesity have become a significant health problem today. An overweight child faces more than just medical troubles—there are huge emotional and social setbacks as well. 

This week I’ll discuss the general causes leading children to become overweight, how taking a family approach to change is key and provide some tips on getting your family moving. Next week, I’ll provide specific eating and lifestyle strategies designed to help the overweight child.

Weight problems in children occur when more calories come in than go out through physical activity. Although exercise and food choices are the most critical factors in weight gain and loss, other factors such as family customs, social influences and genetics may also play a role.

What to Do

Parents and caregivers are constant influences on their child’s relationship with food, activity, and themselves; consequently, childhood weight control should be considered a family problem that requires a family solution.

Your doctor can help evaluate your child’s weight using tools such as body mass index (BMI) and growth charts while considering age, sex, maturity level, ethnicity, and physical activity.

Weight loss programs are typically not recommended for children unless they are severely obese. For most children, the goal is to keep weight stable while they get taller and more muscular over time.

Similar to adult weight management programs, the major players are physical activity and a healthy diet. If a child’s family also adopts healthy behaviors, she has a much greater chance for success.

Be Active Together

Approaching the weight problem as a family ensures that the overweight child is not singled out while learning and practicing new behaviors. In addition to teaching your child to make healthy choices, you must also be a role model and provide positive examples to support the changes being made.

Moving your body is one crucial element in weight management for any age. Movement helps you feel healthier, manage weight, control stress, increase strength, and boost self-esteem. For childhood overweight, one of the most important steps to take is rather simple: Turn off the television and shut down the computer.

It is recommended that most children get at least 60 minutes of moderate physical activity daily. This doesn’t mean you need to launch your family into a vigorous exercise regime. Instead, try making changes that fit into your everyday routine: Walk instead of drive, park further from the store, or take the stairs instead of the elevator. Everyone can help do yard work, walk the dog, or perform simple housekeeping tasks.

Schedule active times into your daily and weekly routine. For example, each day after school and work, the family can go for a walk, ride bikes, or kick a soccer ball around. In colder weather, the family can exercise along with a fitness video, head to the gym for an evening of indoor swimming, or just put on some music and dance in the living room.

Plan special activities for weekends: Fly kites, , check out a nearby or in the winter. Help your kids find activities that appeal to them—keep in mind that some kids enjoy team sports and events, while others prefer to participate in solitary or family-only activities.

Encourage extended family members and friends to be supportive of your family’s healthier lifestyle:

• Request birthday and holiday presents that promote physical activity, such as inline skates, outdoor game equipment, or a new bike.

• Ask family and friends to be a part of your activities.

• Make parties and vacations active events. Instead of a birthday outing at the movies, how about mini-golf or roller-skating? Plan vacations that include swimming, camping, canoeing, and hiking.