| Managing early childhood obesity can be easier than | | | | needed. A competent dietitian or nutritionist on the |
| you think. This is especially true if you are aware of | | | | other hand, can devise a workable meal plan for your |
| the peculiarities of childhood obesity. Once you are | | | | child so you can slowly reverse his unhealthy eating |
| aware of these details, there are many things you can | | | | habits. |
| do as a parent to stop it form ruining your child’s | | | | Weight assessment |
| life. The chances of obesity continuing into adulthood | | | | Not every large child is overweight; sometimes, |
| are a very real threat to your child’s physical health | | | | genetics plays a role in giving some children larger |
| and mental state. Low self esteem and | | | | bodily frames than others. A child with a large |
| self-confidence can develop because of how society | | | | abdomen, for example, does not necessarily mean |
| treats obese individuals. You can take these steps | | | | that he has an unhealthy level of body fat. That can |
| now to prevent this from happening. | | | | only be confirmed through a weight assessment that |
| Identify the root of the problem | | | | would be done at your doctor’s office or at a |
| In order to manage early childhood obesity, you must | | | | hospital. |
| first carefully observe your child’s lifestyle. Some | | | | A person’s BMI or body mass index is an accurate |
| questions that might be able to help you are: | | | | guide to determining whether a person is already |
| • How many times does the child eat in a day? | | | | obese and would be a helpful too in managing early |
| What does the child eat throughout the day? | | | | childhood obesity. Do not be mistaken- adult BMI |
| • Is the child experiencing any problems at school, | | | | indexes are not consulted when determining whether a |
| either with their schoolmates or with school work? | | | | child is clinically obese. What doctors or health care |
| • What does the child normally do when their | | | | providers do is they compute your child’s body |
| relaxed, at home? Does the child play computer | | | | mass index and compares it to the average BMI of |
| games or watch TV often? How long does the child | | | | children in his age and height range. If your child’s |
| do these activities? | | | | BMI is significantly different, then obesity can be taken |
| • Does the child exercise? If he/she does, for how | | | | as a possibility. Family history and your child’s |
| long and how often do they exercise? | | | | unique physical development are also taken into |
| By asking these questions, you can create a fairly | | | | account to provide a more accurate picture for |
| accurate picture of your child’s general lifestyle. | | | | managing early childhood obesity. |
| This lifestyle profile would also help identify the reasons | | | | If weight control is recommended by your health care |
| for your child’s overeating, which makes the task | | | | provider, it would be a wise decision to begin investing |
| of managing early childhood obesity easier. Relay this | | | | in your child’s physical fitness. Enrolling him in fun |
| information to your doctor and to a registered | | | | classes like Martial Arts and other related disciplines |
| nutritionist. The doctor, after evaluating your child’s | | | | can be helpful in naturally reducing his weight and |
| physical health, height, and weight would tell you | | | | unhealthy appetite. |
| whether intensive medical intervention would be | | | | |