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Help Your Overweight Child Fight Obesity |
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An overweight child is at risk with many body problems and diseases at his age or if not yet manifested, could show in the future. This may affect the normal body functions of the body and its homeostasis. Being overweight or obese may lead him to danger or worse, death. Obesity is a condition that arises from excessive storage of fat in the body. Obesity occur when a person weigh more than twenty per cent above what is considered normal according to his/her age, height, and weight tables, and by a complex formula known as the body mass index. Being an overweight or obese child is the result of many different conditions. It may be the result of ingestion of too much calories that's more than what is required by the body for energy. Excessive ingested calories become fat. Lack of exercise and daily activity can also be contributing factors that lead to obesity. The less active the child is, the fewer calories are needed to maintain normal body weight. Over eating results from unhealthy eating patterns acquired from his/her family eating habits and the environment. Some experts conclude that obesity depends on genetics and physiology rather than behavioral or psychological problems. According to them, obesity is hereditary and may run in the family. An overweight child has a higher chance of becoming an obese or overweight adult. He/she may also have increased chances for having several other diseases and health problems. Some disorders associated with child obesity are cardiac trouble, orthopedic problems, high blood pressure, skin disorders, diabetes and psychiatric problems such as depression and low-self esteem. Once a child is diagnosed as obese or overweight, he/she must undergo serious treatment. There are many ways for preventing and treating obesity. The following are some suggested methods. • Set weight loss goals. Set reasonable and attainable goals and increase them slowly as each goal become successfully achieved. This way, the obese child will have enough willpower and decisiveness to consistently lose weight. • Make a dietary journal. Keep track of the how much a child eats. Actually this must be set to everyone, overweight or not. Getting exercise according to your ability is also a great way to set guidelines for calorie and fat intake. It will also make the child be aware of what they are eating. • Incorporate Exercise. Exercise is very important in order to lose weight and build muscles instead of fat. This is highly recommended for overweight children. Make sure that a minimum of twenty to thirty minutes of exercise is incorporated in every day activities. • Family involvement. Incorporate and include all members of the family in taking some of these new dietary and exercise habits so the child will not feel alone. • Emphasize control. Do not keep foods in the house that the child should not eat. Do not encourage the child for second servings nor unfinished meals. • Eating habits. Encourage the child to eat slowly, take small bites, and enjoy the food he/she is eating. Resting between bites is a great way for the stomach to digest well. • Positive reinforcement. Every time a goal is met, make sure to praise the child for it. Provide some kind of reward and encourage the child to strive more. Give special and constant attention to overweight or obese children. We must help them attain the normal weight or standards of body mass index in order that they will be safe from serious diseases and body disorders in the future. |
