Overweight Children

Overweight children have disproportionate height and weight and represent a growing percentage of youth today. Children grow differently during growing years. Poor nutrition, the abundance and popularity of packaged and fast foods, availability of indoor entertainment, social and environmental pressures, and a lack of physical activity and fewer organized outdoor sports all contribute to tendencies in overweight children.  This problem can follow into their adulthood if they do not develop good eating and exercising habits.

Overweight children need understanding, support, and encouragement from parents to help reduce their excess weight. You need to teach them healthy habits lovingly and firmly and accept them as they are. This reassures parental love and affection and then children follow your advices more consistently. 

Plan healthy family meals and eat together as a family. Do not single out overweight children at mealtimes. Always include more fruits and vegetables in your regular meals. Keep ready healthy snacks like dried fruits, fresh vegetables, Graham crackers, animal crackers, as children feel hungry often. Buy them high calorie snacks like candies or chips, or soft drinks sparingly. Never allow children to skip breakfasts as a hungry and tired child tries to consume less healthy foods at other meals. Give them more of low fat milk and less of fruit juices. 

Physical activity is equally important for all children, especially overweight children. They can take part in school sports and games like basketball, soccer, or gymnastics according to their interests. Involve them in normal family chores. Encourage them in fun physical activities like swinging, cycling, and hopscotch. Restrict their television viewing and video games. Follow healthy habits as a family as children learn and follow better what they see.

For those needing more structure or desire to follow a more formal health plan, a handful of reputable online diet plans that are specifically designed for children are now available that won't sacrifice nutrition for weight loss.  The Kids Diet sponsored by eDiets is one such plan and is highly recommended.