Child Weight Management: Tips and Considerations

As a parent, it can be disheartening to learn from a doctor that one's child is overweight or even obese. Still, childhood obesity continues to be a growing problem in the United States. Today, it's up to parents to ensure that their children are not only eating healthy but that they're getting the proper amount of exercise as well. Sometimes, this is easier said than done. Fortunately, by following some simple guidelines and working with an experienced dietician from fulton county family services, it's possible to help a child work towards a healthy weight and lifestyle.

Plan Meals as a Family In today's world, many parents find that they're so busy that it's difficult to find the time to cook a meal at home. Unfortunately, this often means that the alternative is to stop at the drive-thru window on the way home. Sadly, many fast-food meals contain more than a child's daily recommended caloric intake. By planning and cooking more healthy meals as a family, it's easier to ensure that a child is eating healthy and getting the proper nutrition. Not to mention, cooking together is a great way to bond.

Avoid Giving Food as a Reward One common mistakes parents make is that of giving food as a reward to their children. A child did his or her chores? Surely he or she deserves some ice cream. A child got an "A" on a spelling test? Time to go out for his or her favorite meal! This is not the way a child should be rewarded. Unfortunately, when children are rewarded with junk food, they learn to see junk food as being more valuable than healthier foods, like fruits and vegetables.

Be Aware of Portion Sizes Finally, parents should be aware of portion sizes when watching their children's nutrition. Even seemingly healthy foods can be misleading with their labeling, advertising themselves as being only 100 calories "per serving" when the serving size itself is very small. By reading nutrition information carefully and avoiding foods that have high calorie counts per serving, parents can help manage their children's calorie intake and their overall weight as well. Managing a child's weight isn't always easy, but it's something that all parents need to do in order to keep their children healthy. From there, their children can life healthier and happier lives while avoiding possible health problems linked to obesity.