subject: HOW TO CONTROL WEIGHT GAIN IN CHILDREN [print this page] 1. Keep a close watch on your children's diet. Provide them with foods recommended in the food pyramid. Avoid empty calories-- sweets, fried foods, foods with thick gravy, etc. Encourage them to opt for steamed, boiled or grilled foods instead.
2. Give your children lots of fresh fruits, vegetables, and wholegrain. For a treat give them fruit instead of candy. Serve water instead of sodas.
3. Make exercise a family affair. Go cycling or swimming take walks in the park. Physical activity burns calories and improves overall health. If your child sees you enjoying healthy foods and physical activity, he is more likely to do the same now and for the rest of his life.
4. Focus on your child's health and positive qualities, not your child's weight. Try not to make him feel different. Let him know he is loved and appreciated whatever his weight. Overweight children are probably more aware than anyone else that they have a weight problem. They need support, acceptance and encouragement. parents should give their overweight kids lots of love. Emphasise that values are more important, not looks.
5. Gradually change your family's physical activity and eating habits. slowly introduce good food choices. Instead of removing all unhealthy foods, try reducing the portions first. If your kids feel deprived, they may crave for more.
6. Lead by example. Read up about nutrition. Teach your kids to read food labels.
7. Establish regular eating times. Eat only at the dinning table and not in front of the TV. Limit snacks.
8. Reduce the amount of time you and your family spend in sedentary activities such as watching TV or playing video games.
9. Help your overweight children maintain their current weight growing normally in height.
10. If the child is morbidly obese, seek your doctor's advice. The child will require proper supervision for weight loss as well as diagnosis and management of associated disease.
