Prevent Childhood Obesity To Ensure Healthy Children

It is not so long since round children were socially seen as a symbol of health. So much so that mothers of thin children were criticized as bad parents. With the advancement of scientific knowledge, this perspective has changed. We are now more aware that childhood obesity is not a sign of current or future health. Nor is it a sign that a family has more resources to feed their children or that the children receive more attention and care.

However, it can be difficult to get your child to maintain a normal weight. What steps can be taken to ensure that they remain healthy?

The psychological effects of childhood obesity

We all know that obesity is associated with many other health problems. Children are not exempt from the dangers that can come from having a high body mass index. They can develop diseases such as type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol.

However, when people talk about the negative consequences of obesity, they rarely consider the associated emotional and psychological problems. Obese children can develop low self-esteem and poor body image.

It is also important to point out that society in general views people who are overweight as unworthy of success and popularity, even children. This can lead to anxiety, depressive disorders and many others. It can also lead to the development of eating disorders later in life.

What can you do to help your overweight child?

As we all know, malnutrition is the leading cause of childhood obesity. But there are also other psychological and lifestyle factors that are also important to consider when trying to keep your child at a healthy weight.

In this regard, keep in mind that many people use food as a way to reduce emotional anxiety. Not only do they eat more when they are upset, but they also eat more unhealthy foods. If this becomes a habit, it can become a vicious cycle.

When a child eats because they are upset, the negative emotions disappear immediately, but doing so continuously will lead to weight gain, which will lead to more suffering. And how will the child try to handle this situation? By eating more. Do you see where this is going?

Apart from using food as a way to regulate emotions, there are other daily habits that affect weight gain. Eating alone, eating too many sweets, skipping breakfast, sleeping too little, spending too much time in front of the television, and not getting enough exercise are a few examples of such harmful habits.

How can we fight childhood obesity?

What can we do to prevent childhood obesity? The first step is to establish rules in the home that promote healthy habits. For example, they should eat five meals a day, starting each day with dairy products, whole grains and fruits.

At the very least, meals should be eaten with the whole family. It is very important for parents and children to eat from all food groups. Parents are a role model for their children.

Try not to use food as a way to relieve your child’s boredom or sadness if you want to avoid the vicious cycle we mentioned earlier. Consumption of sweets should also be limited. Children should also have some time to go to bed so that they can get at least 10 hours of sleep.

Now let’s talk about technology. To prevent children from leading a sedentary lifestyle, limit screen time. To be healthy, both physically and mentally, it is very important for children to avoid technology and do physical activity, such as taking a walk, going to the park or playing sports. Let us all promote healthy weight and a healthy lifestyle for our children!

Photos courtesy of Kelly Sikkema, Annie Spratt and Caroline Hernandez.