Childhood Obesity- Functional Solutions for a Growing Epidemic

Between 25-30 percent of children and teens in the United States are obese and studies indicate that childhood obesity is on the increase. Sufferers often have to deal with many physical, emotional and social consequences that continue into adulthood, yet according to experts, cases are under-diagnosed and under-treated.

Many nutritionists agree that one of the main contributors to this problem is parent’s lack of nutritional awareness. In an attempt to resolve this problem, parents are being encouraged to take their children to a dietician for regular check ups. But is this enough? How else can parents learn more about preventing and treating obesity and how can they encourage their children to switch to a healthy diet?

Preventing Excess Pounds

Helping your children to maintain a healthy diet can be tricky, especially if they are picky eaters. The important thing is to practice a healthy attitude towards food.

* Don’t try to force your child to eat certain foods.

* Avoid using food as a reward or comfort measure.

* Focus on healthy eating rather than setting a weight goal.

* Maintain a positive attitude towards exercise without emphasis on body weight or size.

* Eat regularly throughout the day and eat together as a family as often as possible.

* Ensure that healthful foods are always available, if you are uncertain which foods are the best, use the Food Guide Pyramid for Young Children to inspire you.

When It Comes to Weight Loss

If your child is already overweight then the time to act is now. The best way to get results is to change your child’s diet and ensure that s/he gets regular exercise. Joanna Dolgoff, M.D. runs Weigh: Child and Adolescent Weight Management practices in New York, she admits that there are few standardized weight-loss programs for children.

“Most programs stress "increasing fiber" and "decreasing junk". But kids need more concrete advice,” says Joanna Dolgoff.

With this in mind, Dr. Dolgoff has combined two basic diets – one that limits calories and one that limits types of food – in a program that’s easy to follow both for kids and their parents. The traffic light nutrition program color-codes foods so that children can have fun while eating healthy and learning about portion sizes and nutrition. Each child has a number of green and yellow light foods they can choose from for each meal. Best of all, no foods are off limit. Children are allowed two red light foods each week so they can go out for pizza or eat cake at their best friend’s birthday party.

Another option is a weight-loss camp. These programs deal with hundreds of overweight children every year and offer a summer camp that can range from two – ten weeks. At New Image Camps, the average stay is five weeks and children lose three – four pounds each week. New Image Camps also address self-esteem issues.

“We have a class which is specifically geared towards raising the children’s self esteem. In addition the overall environment of the camp is extremely positive, no one feels left out; the campers go home in the best mental shape of their lives,” says Amanda Breault, spokesperson for New Image.

Of course, a healthy eating program doesn’t end at the camp. It’s important that we continue to learn more about healthy nutrition so that we can offer our children the healthiest food options and encourage them to stay in healthy shape through childhood and into their future.

Corinna Underwood 2009

About the Author Managing Partner and Editor-in-Chief at one of the best social networking and lifestyle sites for moms, EverythingMom.com. Trying to balance life at home with my 3 kids (all under 8), while building my business, working at EverythingMom.com and developing my writing. Oh and throw a load of laundry in and a dinner that isn't burnt. Wasn't working from home suppose to be easier? Posted by Carrie Anne in behaviour on February 05, 2010 More from this author  |  Author Website Follow Carrie Anne on:  |  |  |