An increased understanding of the risks associated with adult obesity has brought to light the fact that eating habits in childhood are frequently the first place where the issue first manifests. Additionally, a child who is overweight faces specific health risks as well as potential emotional and social issues as they age. So, it is crucial for parents to be aware of any potential for their child to gain too much weight. Little babies are naturally chubby; thus, their appearance is not necessarily an accurate indicator of obesity. Keeping a regular record of your child’s growth is the greatest approach to make sure that you catch any weight issues in your child as soon as possible. Your child is likely getting obese if their weight-gain curve is rising more quickly than their head circumference or height-gain curves. To determine the potential root of the issue, consult the questionnaire above.
Excessive weight gain’s root cause
Most kids who gain weight do so because they consume more calories than they expend in order to produce energy. The extra calories are subsequently stored as fat beneath the skin. Children typically alter their meal intake to match their energy needs. Yet, a variety of things can interfere with the body’s normal appetite-regulating system.
The family overeats
The most frequent factor in childhood obesity is continuous family overeating, which causes the youngster to become unaware of their body’s true nutritional requirements. The family may consume too much food overall or too much of the incorrect kinds of food (such as too much sugar and fat). Hence, if your child is overweight, take a good look at your family and yourself. There’s a good probability that everyone is fatter than they should be. In this situation, changing the entire family’s eating habits will be the best method to assist your youngster in losing weight.
Forced eating
A youngster who is forced to eat everything on their plate, regardless of hunger, may also end up being overweight since they will get used to eating more than they need to in order to appease their parents.
Comfort eating
Less frequently, a kid may start eating in response to anxiety and stress. In this circumstance, eating is done more for comfort than to try to satisfy hunger, and the youngster may eventually develop an overeating habit.
Medical causes
Medical issues that lead to obesity are quite uncommon, so they should only be taken into consideration if your child exhibits symptoms of ill health or if sincere efforts to restrict their food are unsuccessful.
Four guiding principles for reducing childhood obesity
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- Ensure that everyone in the household is consuming a balanced diet.
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- Never make your youngster eat against their will; always follow their hunger. He or she won’t go without food.
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- Avoid using food as a form of reward or punishment by never providing it or taking it away. This could cause your youngster to attach emotional value to food, which could result in future eating issues.
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- A child can burn off extra fat more easily the more active they are. Encourage outdoor games that require running about rather than sedentary activities, and encourage your small child to walk instead of ride in the stroller. It could be necessary to persuade an older youngster to participate in a sport that he or she is unlikely to excel at. For an overweight child, less competitive sports like swimming, dancing, and cycling can be better options.
