Last updated : Thursday, July 14, 2011

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How to Prevent Childhood Obesity

Childhood obesity is a serious problem in the United States. But what needs to be done in order to put an end to it?

Dr. David Ludwig, an obesity specialist at Harvard-affiliated Children's Hospital Boston, proposes a solution in his July 13th, 2011 opinion piece in the Journal of the American Medical Association. The report advocates for severely obese children to be taken from their homes and placed in foster care.

Whether or not you agree or disagree with his proposal, one thing's for sure; parents can take measures into their own hands to prevent childhood obesity.  iMag went to Pediatrician, Dr. Peter Inguagiato, Senior Partner at MD's for Kids and Andrew Malekoff, the executive director for the North Shore Child and Family Guidance Center in Roslyn Heights, New York for tips on understanding childhood obesity and how you can prevent it. 

Q: How is childhood obesity measured?

Dr. Inguagiato: Obesity is measured by Body Mass Index or BMI from age two. BMI is calculated by the following equation: weight (lb) / [height (in)] ² x 703. This number is then compared to a percentile chart that can help determine if a child is obese. There is a different standard of percentiles for children ages two to seven and seven and up. Depending on their percentile and any health problems the child may have as a result of their weight, a weight maintenance program may be recommenced. 

Q: What are the consequences of childhood obesity?

Dr. Inguagiato: Some complications from obesity include sleep problems, mild hypertension, lipid levels that are out of whack, high cholesterol, high triglycerides and type two diabetes. Obese children can also develop orthopedic problems as well as social and self-esteem issues.  

Q: What are some tips for early prevention of childhood obesity?

Dr. Inguagiato: The first tip I have is that I encourage breast feeding. It naturally produces the amount of calories a baby needs. The next tip is no solid foods too soon and then educating the parents. If parents are aware of proper nutrition and spend time having family meals with their children that can help prevent obesity early on. 

Q: How can you instill healthy attitudes/relationships toward food with your children?

Andrew Malekoff: The whole family should be involved rather than cut off physically and emotionally. Set a good example regarding eating healthy foods and preparing healthy meals, let kids help to prepare and learn about what foods are healthy. Find healthy alternatives to junk and fast food (some call one of these “eating the rainbow,” for fun, referring to a variety of fruits and vegetables. Serve smaller portions (some suggest using smaller plates to create the perception of more versus less). Limit the use of screens (TV, computer, video games), encourage and participate in regular exercise with your child. Although, don’t turn it into boot camp. The more fun and enjoyable the exercise or physical activity the better it is. Discover what they might like to do to keep active.

Q: On the flip-side, how to know if you’re being too obsessive about it … what if it’s just baby fat?

Andrew Malekoff: Seek a third party’s perspective. Ask a friend or a counselor. We live in a thin-obsessed culture (e.g. fashion and celebrity magazines) that influences our attitudes about what someone should look like. We must separate our culturally influenced attitudes from real health risk. Being overly obsessed about a child or teenager that has baby fat or is going through growth change can send the wrong message and influence their body image and feeling of self esteem. Ask a third party, more than one, to see if it is your issue or if there is really something to be concerned about. Kids come in all sizes and larger-sized kids are not always obese or unhealthy. Beauty is subjective and often changes in different times and within different cultures. Larger kids deserve to feel loved and accepted, just like their smaller or thinner counterparts. Promoting that feeling must start at home.

Q: What are some healthy ways you can help your child lose weight?

Dr. Inguagiato: There is a program called Red Light, Green Light, Eat Right. Similar to Weight Watchers, it is a points system. Children are given a number of green points (healthy) and a limited number of red points (unhealthy) they can eat per day. It's a simple way for kids to learn to eat healthy. In addition, physical activity is important. Most obese children do not want to go to a gym and exercise so you need to start slow. Take them for a walk around the block, get them a bicycle or invest in a treadmill for the home where they can exercise in private. 

Andrew Malekoff: Being involved with your child is the first step and I don’t mean 24/7. Don’t let the screens baby-sit your child. Find time in your hectic schedule and make it a point to spend it with your child trying to advance their developing physical activities and healthier eating habits in fun, versus deadly serious ways. Be available to hear them out if there are difficult feelings they are struggling with related to home, school or community life. Be a good listener. Let them know that you can be a trusted confidante who doesn’t cut them off or jump to conclusions or solutions, but can be a sounding board and advice-giver when asked or needed. Trust is where we begin as parents.

For more healthy tips, click here. 

 

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