The fact that one is every five children in America is
overweight is of real concerns, says obesity expert C.Wayne Callaway, M.D
associate clinical professor of medicine of George Washington University in
Washington. D.D Overweight in childhood is associated with heart disease,
diabetes, and other problems later in life. An excess of fat cells developed as
a child can also lead to a lifelong struggle with obesity. Some suggestions
from Experts;
Don’t put your child on a diet. Kinds on a low calorie diet will
stop developing normally. At best they will start cheating, but then you have
put them into the position of being duplicitous, kids should be able to eat
normally.
Follow the Food Guide Pyramid. A wide variety of nutritious foods
is your best bet for retraining your child into healthy, satisfying eating
habits. Be sure your child gets enough calories.
Energy demands for growing bodies especially adolescents, are higher than for
adults. Whereas a grown woman may need 1400 calories a day, a teenage girl may
need 2000 to 3000. As long as a child is eating healthy food, calories consumed
and calories needs tend to balance out.
Encourage physical activity. Leisure time spent in front of a TV
set instead of outside playing is one big factor in childhood obesity. Enroll
your child in an after school program. Better yet, get out of the house and
play with your kids yourself.
