Tips on Reversing Childhood Obesity

One of the saddest continuing tragedies this nation faces is the issue of childhood obesity. According to Anne Collins, well-known nutritionist and weight management expert, a full twenty-five percent of all Caucasian American children are either overweight or obese. For African-Americans and Hispanics, the news is gloomier: thirty-three percent of those children have a serious weight problem. There are obvious physical troubles associated with the weight that these children have to face each day -- troubles that no child should ever have to tackle.

While the issue, obviously, is to reduce those figures and return our nation's children to a healthy weight and lifestyle, the means to do so is somewhat complicated.

First, we have to realize that there can be contributing factors other than overeating or a sedentary lifestyle. For example, while hormone or other chemical imbalances can be causes of excessive weight-gain, they are conditions that can be controlled with the help of physicians. Another possibility can be inherited disorders of metabolism. Before putting a child on a weight-loss regimen, he or she should be given a thorough physical by a family doctor to ensure that none of these are causes.

If it's determined the child is otherwise fit, then the obesity could be caused by excessive or careless eating habits, inactive lifestyles (such as always surfing the internet, playing computer games, staying in web "chat rooms" or watching television or DVDs) and no extracurricular activities that require physical exertion.
Secondly, parents need to provide a time, place and means of physical exercise for their children. Even a simple walk around a local park, scheduled at a specific time every day, can provide not only a great way to lose weight but also an increase in endorphins (a "feel-good" chemical produced by the brain). The exercise should fit the child at first; he or she won't be able to handle "strenuous" exercise at first due to their weight. More simply put: since they're still overweight, let them enter an exercise program gradually; to go into it full-steam could cause more physical problems, including the possibility of heart attack.
Thirdly, parents must find ways to "keep the peace" at home, even if it means assistance from a qualified counselor. If there's stress from constant arguing between partners, worries about work schedules, separation or even moving from one location to another, the effects of these can drive a child to one of the only security blankets he knows: eating.

Fourthly, it's important to monitor the child's time (as well as activity) online, in front of the TV or DVD player, or on the telephone. These times seem to increase a child's desire for quick, often unhealthy, snacks.

Fifthly, preparing good, nutritious meals or snacks as an alternative to the "fast-food" fix allows the child the vitamins and minerals needed for his or her growing body. It also helps to eliminate many of the fats from their diets.

Lastly, adults should teach by example. It does no good to demand a child to exercise if the parents are sitting in front of a television set with a bag of chips and a soda. Walking or exercising with their children has three great benefits: They give the child incentive to exercise; they have a chance to spend quality time with their children; the exercise will do the parent as much good as it will the child.

The effects of obesity on children is far more than just physical. The psychological factors of loneliness, inability to socialize like others and being passed over for various functions or sports often gnaw at these kids, sometimes sending them into depression -- and occasionally attempted suicides. So it's important that parents take the situation in hand, and with love, to provide their obese children the opportunity to reduce their weight. In doing so, the child will have a much brighter future ... and a longer lifespan.