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Childhood & Weight Gain

Everything in life is measured these days - from how much money our bank accounts hold to the size of our bodies. At one point in life, kids were exempt from such - allowed to simply be kids. Not anymore & particularly not when it comes to their 'ideal' weight....

Overweight Child - Is my child overweight?

Most children experience a 'plump' state at one point or another as they migrate towards adulthood. Due to individual-makeup, kids don't all grow at the same rate which makes determining recommended weight difficult. What may be considered underweight or overweight by a parent might be considered 'just right' by the family health care provider. Therefore, for determining the correct weight for a child, a doctor's expertise is best.

School Testing for Overweight Child

This is just one reason why measuring a child's weight through the public school system is frankly.....just wrong. The weight scales are merely one factor that fits into the puzzle named Good Health. Even when a child tips the scales in one direction or another, the family doctor may determine that factor to be a healthy piece of a particular child's Good Health puzzle. Furthermore, when a kid is overweight - they will likely be the one to realize such first. They certainly don't need to be told; they simply require understanding and support when questions arise.

Why is checking for weight gain at school different from 'eye checks & hearing checks'?

Because in 99% of individuals, weight gain is connected to an eating addition. Addictions are much different than physical matters which can be dealt with through health remedies, such as with medication. An eating disorder reaches deep down into the very core of an individual, often causing scars which last a lifetime. In our opinion, a child who was recently the subject of this controversial issue may carry this scar with them for a lifetime.

As with adults, singling out a child can trigger further issues. They may experience emotional pain, feeling as if they are different from their friends and that they just 'don't fit in'. They may seek comfort in the form of food, thus gaining more weight.

With childhood obesity on the uprise, it's understandable why organizations and individuals are taking interest in seeking solutions, but as mentioned above, because weight gain is associated with an addiction, on-the-spot weighing programs are apt to accomplish more health-harm than health-good. Although a spike in weight gain or weight loss signals the need for a trip to the family doctor to rule out potential health issues such as diabetes, because weight gain and weight loss are clearly visible to the parent, guardian or child, we feel that it should be the parent's or guardian's decision when initiating action.

Slimming Down an Overweight Child

So how does one go about telling a child that they are overweight without causing emotional scarring? One doesn't. A child is a child and an adult is an adult - and frankly, these days our kids have enough to worry about without adding to the pot. Opportunities that spring to mind which can help in trimming down a child include:

- Monitor fast food hot-spots. Diet Bites has developed nutrition charts depicting the calories in kid's fast food selections at popular restaurants. Knowing the nutritional values of foods beforehand is an important tool for parents and guardians. Click here to view fast food nutrition information for kids.

- Typically, a child consumes what they are given or offered and providing healthy, regularly-scheduled meals fortified with foods that are closest to nature is perhaps the best way to keep weight gain and obesity at bay. Take your kid to the market with you. Allow them to pick out the fruits and vegetables that they like. Experiment with new foods and recipes low in fat. Keep in mind that kids may refuse a new food several times before they 'learn to like it' - so to speak. It may take 20 attempts before little Betsy decides she loves peas. In addition, get involved in the quality of lunch served by your kid's school. While many schools are stressing the importance of nutrition, some are greatly lacking. Just take a look at one school menu we researched which was served at an Alaskan school:

When packing your child's lunch, ensure that foods don't risk spoilage.  If it's hot outside, it's probably best to opt for buying lunch at school.  Again, be sure to encourage your school to offer healthy lunches.

- Never use food as a reward or as part of a punishment (such as 'no ice cream for you now, buddy').

- A child's diet should also contain a lot of color such as orange-orange carrots, green-green spinach and red-red melon. Kids love color and what better way to provide such than with natural foods.

- Include snacks consisting of whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables. Rather than consuming empty calories found in most candies, offer your child yogurt.

- Don't forget about those darling finger-foods such as whole grain cereals, baby carrots and so forth. If your child is under the age of 5, be sure to cut foods into small pieces. In addition, ask your doctor which foods should be avoided due to choking risks. One of the saddest days of my life was when I witnessed young parents losing their young daughter because she choked to death on a wad of cheese.

- Limit fruit juice and encourage your child to grab the real thing. Grape juice contains in excess of 150 calories per cup while a cup of grapes contain 2/3'rds the calories. No doubt, fruit juice is a healthy drink, but the calorie content can add unsuspecting pounds. Other pluses relating to raw fruits is the fiber content include: the fiber advantage and satiety power. Eating a piece of raw fruit will stick with your child longer than a cup of liquid.

- Encourage a healthy balance of play & rest.

- Encourage fun & challenging physical activity. Visit the zoo, a state park, or go roller skating as a family. Even a window-shopping trip to the mall can help burn off pounds - as long as you steer away from the Food Court area. If your child is in need of dropping a lot of weight, be sure to start activities out slowly and build up as the body strengthens.

- During times of celebration, opt for reduced fat topping on cakes rather than a sugar-load of icing. Concentrate on presentation of healthier foods rather than taste infused with sugar & fat. Rather than potato chips, opt for pretzels. Rather than candy, opt for whole, giant strawberries whose tips have been dipped in dark chocolate. Rather than sugar-filled soda, try a healthier punch mix such as: orange sherbet + sugar free orange soda. Or, try all-natural sugar-free 7-Up served over lime shebert.

- Be sure that your child enjoys a healthy breakfast. Individuals who do such are less likely to experience weight issues, they perform better mentally and they are also less likely to reach for unhealthy snacks when hunger assails.

- Get involved when fundraisers come around. If candy or cookies are involved, ask if a healthier alternative can be offered.

- Like adults, children develop eating patterns/habits so starting early in life is important.

Contributors to Childhood Obesity

Feelings of insecurity.

It's important to let your child know that you love them - each and every day. Be proud of them - no matter what they weigh. A child who feels well-loved is a child who can succeed at anything. So many children these days can't believe in themselves until someone first believes in them. Be a believer.

Lack of physical activity.

Lack of physical activity is about more than video games & television. It's a way of life - the new technology-filled world. Everything is easier these days, from getting to Point A to Point B -  to gaining weight. In order to get ample activity, one must be dedicated to accomplishing such. It's difficult enough for adults, but may be even more difficult for kids. Here's why:

• What if your boss sent home a stack of things that you needed to do that evening, and the results had to be on his/her desk by morning? It happens to millions of kids every day - dreaded homework. It just looks like with so many kids battling weighty issues that the revised homework assignment might be: 'Go home! Do something fun outdoors if possible. Play a game - run, hula-hoop, hopscotch or jump rope with your friends.'
• Available daylight hours also factor into activity hours.
• Desk-time at both school & home with little amount allotted for physical activity.

Stress.

Stress is a chief contributor to weight gain - at any age. Kids are continually under stress such as:

• Stress related to school grades & testing;
• Peer pressure;
• Constant growing spurt can be stressful as moods & bodies are continually undergoing changes.

In Summary

A healthy daily diet, exercise and rest are key in achieving a healthy weight for both kids and adults alike.

Fast Food Calories & Nutrition for Kids

Arby's | McDonalds | A & W | Dairy Queen | Long John Silvers | Baja Fresh | Chili's

Denny's | Frazoli's| Hardee's | Pizza Hut | Sonic | Jack in the Box | Burger King | Ruby Tuesday

Go to Kid's Interactive Health Pages at Diet Bites

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