How to put obese children on a diet is one of the major concerns of parents today.Obesity in children has currently become a huge problem of developed countries.As per the research of American Obesity Association, almost 15% of adolescents and children are obesein the United States.

The excess of body fat leads to obesity. Obese children have body weight which is at least 20% higher than the healthy weight of a child of similar age.

Although caused by both heredity and dietary factors, obesity in children has become one of the major health concerns. Obesity affects the child in a profound way. Not only the child gets prone to several health problems, obesity also leads to social and mental problems.

Parents should be cautious well in advance so as to help their children avoid obesity.

• Breastfeeding the infants and timely introduction of solids prevents obesity in kids.
• At the growing age, children should be encouraged to participate in physical activities rather than sitting in front of Television and laptops.
• Older children should be taught the benefits of healthy eating. Junk food, munching on snacks and sitting in front of video games should be avoided.

Inculcating good food habits at the initial stages will help the children in a longer way but what about the children who are already overweight?

As it is said, better late than never, so why not help your overweight kid reduce those extra pounds with this simple diet management.

Know the needs-Educate yourself about the nutritional requirement of your child. Try to develop in yourself and your family a healthy attitude about eating. Refer to a diet specialist or a nutritionist to know what is healthy for your child.

Encourage healthy eating habits-Make your child understand the importance of table and chair, correct posture, eating slowly etc. Also, tell them to chew food with mouth closed.

Offer a variety-Lay the table in such a way that it has a variety of food. Breads, rice, veggies, salads and sweets; everything should be a part of your meal time. Introduce them to the concept of serving too. Though monitoring is important, give your children freedom to pick food of their own choice.

Eat together- Make meal time a family time. As adults, do not sit in front of TV and prohibit the children also from doing the same. Share your days’ activities with each other. Engage in pleasant conversations rather than fighting on the table. Also, educate your children about the nutritional value attached to every food item.

Manage the diet-Make sure that the child’s diet constitute of whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. Chips and other junk food should not be prohibited but given in moderation .Plan the snack intake of your child. Healthy snacks such as oats are one of the instant sources of energy for children. Eggs, meat, beans and milk should also be included in the diet.

Physical activity-Physical activity always does miracles to the body. Encourage children to participate in outdoor sports of their choice. Cycling, swimming and jogging will also help your child to reduce weight and overcome obesity.

Follow up-Do regular weight check and reward your children if they achieve their goal. If not, check where you are going wrong. Take help and advice of diet specialist if required.

Losing weight is difficult for all but with an extra dose of motivation you and your child can definitely make it happen.

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