Helping Overweight Children
For many parents, dealing with an overweight child is a delicate issue. These suggestions can help put you and your child on the right path to a healthier lifestyle.
Be Supportive.
An important first step is to let your overweight child know she's OK, whatever her weight. A child's feelings about herself often reflect her parents' feelings about her. For example, if your child gets the message that you are unhappy with the way she looks, that impacts how she feels about herself. If you accept your child at any weight, and emphasize her strengths (e.g., good grades, musical talent, leadership skills), she learns how to feel good about herself.
Let your child know she can talk openly with you and share her concerns about her weight. This issue may come up when she is shopping for clothes, participating in an athletic event or donning a bathing suit when it's time to hit the beach or pool. Your child probably knows better than anyone else that her weight is an issue. For that reason, she needs your support, acceptance and encouragement.
Help your child determine why he or she eats too much - some kids eat when bored, frustrated, worried or depressed.
Focus on the Family.
Don't set your overweight child apart because of his weight or make a special issue out of it. Instead, make gradual, healthful changes in the whole family's physical activity and eating habits. Family involvement helps to teach everyone healthful habits and does not single out the overweight child as "being on a diet." Changing the family environment provides your overweight child with the support he needs.
Source: International Food Information Council (IFIC) Foundation
Read what Dr. Laura Marusinec, a pediatrician with Advanced Healthcare, says about treating overweight children.
