Weight Control
Children’s obesity is a growing concern all over the world. The causes of the problem include, among other things, calorie-rich diet, unhealthy eating habits, and lack of physical exercise. Getting children to lose weight can be challenging. Success is much more likely if the child’s family actively supports the child in various ways, including by assuming healthier dietary habits together with the child.
To succeed in helping an obese child lose weight is important to help them adopt healthier dietary or exercise related habits.
Motivation
Make sure the child knows why it is important for them to lose weight. When you do this, avoid listing all the negative consequences of obesity that the child may avoid by losing weight (e.g. diabetes, heart disease, bullying, etc.) and focus instead of the positive consequences of normal weight (e.g. you enjoy sports more, you sleep better, you have more energy, clothes look better on you etc.). Perhaps you can find a nurse, or a nutritionist, to help your child get insight into the benefits of having normal weight.
Avoid talking with children about their weight, calories, or unhealthy foods. Focus, instead, on healthy habits, habits that can help them normalize their weight. Make a long list of healthy habits and allow the child to decide which of these habits to start with.
From weight control to health promotion
Avoid talking with children about their weight, calories, or unhealthy foods. Focus, instead, on healthy habits, habits that can help them normalize their weight. Make a long list of healthy habits and allow the child to decide which of these habits to start with. Once the child has made their decision about which habit to adopt, use the steps of Kids’ Skills to motivate the child and help them develop a plan that can help them assume that habit in a fun and rewarding way with the help and support of their family and friends.
When the child has succeeded in assuming one healthy habit, celebrate the accomplishment with the child, and allow the child to participate in deciding what will be next healthy habit for them to learn.
Examples of healthy habits
– skipping desert and drink a glass of water (or tea) instead
– taking the stairs instead of the lift or the escalator
– taking the amount of food you intend to eat without going for more
– drinking water instead of milk
– eating bread without covering it with butter or margarine
– replacing whole milk with skimmed milk
– putting only a small amount of peanut butter on one’s sandwich
– eating salad or veggies whenever they are available
– taking a salad instead of a burger in fast food restaurants
– eating slowly and mindfully
– sharing a pizza with someone else
– having carrots, or other vegetables, for snack
– walking or taking the bicycle to go to school
– picking up a sport or hobby that requires exercise
– drinking water instead of soda
This article is owned by: Kids’Skills http://www.kidsskillsapp.com/
