meal one time every 1 to 2 weeks after good habits are in place.
Be a good role model:- Weight management is a family issue, not just your child's issue.
- Set a good example for your child. If your child cannot eat or drink something, then you should not either.
- Only eat a small portion if that is how much your child is allowed to eat.
Serve healthy foods:- Serve your family foods that are healthy. They are also low in calories. Suggest eating an apple instead of a slice of cake.
- Give your child milk or water with meals and snacks. Limit your child's juice and flavored drinks. Experts suggest NO juice or flavored drinks. If you must give your child juice or flavored drinks:
- 1 to 6 year old children should have no more than 4 to 6 ounces per day
- 7 to 18 year old children should have no more than 8 to 12 ounces per day
Encourage activity:- Encourage your child to play outside instead of playing video games or on the computer. Limit screen time to 1 to 2 hours each day. This includes TV, cell phone, and computer and video games.
- If your child still plays video games, buy interactive games to increase your child's activity. There are video and computer games that include activities like dance and sports.
- Ask your child's PE teacher about your child's activities. An hour of physical activity each day is a very good way for your child to lose weight.
- Get the whole family involved. Get everyone a pedometer to track how many steps you take in a day. Find fun things that the whole family can do. Outdoor activities like walking, hiking, biking, and tennis burn a lot of calories.
- Join a community physical activity program such as YMCA or YWCA, Boys and Girls Club, or an after-school physical activity program.
What will the results be?
By knowing and understanding BMI, you will be able to help your child keep a healthy weight for their age. This will help put off health problems in the future. ‚
What changes to diet are needed?
Your childs body needs a balance of foods to: ‚
- Get quick energy. These are mainly carbs.
- Help grow and fix the body. These are mainly proteins.
- Give long-term energy. These are mainly fats.
What foods are good to eat?
- Grains are a good source of carbs and fiber. Try to give your child whole grain, high fiber foods each day. These are things like bread, cereals, brown rice, or pasta.
- Fruits and vegetables are good sources of fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Try to pick many kinds and colors. Buy them fresh or frozen, not processed or canned.
- Milk is a good source of protein and some vitamins and minerals. Most children with a weight problem should choose low-fat (1%) or fat-free milk. Give your child nonfat or low-fat cheeses, ice creams, yogurt, and other dairy products.
- Meats and beans are good sources of protein, iron, and fiber. Give your child more low-fat or lean meats like chicken, turkey, and fish. Eggs and peanut butter are good sources of protein as well. Dried peas, beans, and lentils are also good. Fatty fish, like salmon, tuna, mackerel, herring, and trout, are good to eat and have healthy omega-3 fats.
- Good fats can give your child long-term energy. These are found in fish, nuts, and avocados. Try using olive oil, safflower oil, and low-sodium and low-fat salad dressing and mayonnaise as toppings. Use canola, olive, or peanut oil for cooking and avoid vegetable oil. Other healthy oils include corn, sunflower, and soybean oils.
What foods should be limited or avoided?
- Limit sweets such as candy and many drinks.
- Limit fatty foods such as desserts, fried foods, and chips.
- Cut back on solid fats, like butter, lard, and margarine.
- Limit processed meats and most processed foods.
- Trans fats should be avoided. Most trans fats are found in processed foods and are very unhealthy. Saturated fat, which is different from trans fat, should be watched and limited if portions are too big.
- Limit eating out. If you choose to visit a restaurant, ask for the nutritional facts. Choose healthy items. Watch the portion size. Have large portions split and take part home for some other meal.
Will there be any other care needed?
- Teach your child about healthy foods. This will help your child make good choices when in school or with friends.
- Ask your childs doctor at each well visit about the choices you make for your child's nutrition.
- Your doctor may order special tests for cholesterol, diabetes, and liver disease.
- Visit a registered dietician if you would like more personalized advice.
What problems could happen?
- Adult obesity
- Teasing from peers
- Low mood or self-esteem
- Anxiety
- Muscle pain, joint pain, or arthritis
- Sleep apnea
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Heart problems
- Kidney problems
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Not losing weight even with proper diet and exercise
- Upset stomach and throwing up
- Tired and weak
- Low mood and less interest in daily activities
- Stools that are too hard or loose
Where can I learn more?
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ‚
http://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/assessing/bmi/childrens_bmi/about_childrens_bmi.html ‚
KidsHealth ‚
http://www.kidshealth.org.nz/index.php/ps_pagename/contentpage/pi_id/170 ‚
http://kidshealth.org/parent/general/body/bmi_charts.html ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚