Some parents tend to give everything that their kids are asking for, ignoring the fact that it could be dangerous for their children in the long term. One of the bad habits are rewarding of treats such as candies, junk foods and other unhealthy foods which are ironically having the best and addicting taste. Sometimes, parents are letting their children to consume these goodies to pacify, please or keep them at bay whenever they have something important to do. If this evolves to a regular situation everywhere along with issues of overeating, it would result to obesity on children which is a very alarming condition. To fight obesity that brings problems in physical, social and emotional health of a child, parents must do their part and lead their children to a fit, healthier and longer life.
Regular Checking and Avoidance
Obese children have a bigger body which contains more fats than muscles. Being an overweight child are not that big as an obese kid but they don't have a normal body index. They can be taller or heavier than what they should be according to their age and this could lead to obesity if they continue to grow far from the normal body index. It is easy to determine an obese child however, you should also monitor your child even if they look normal to check if they are overweight or not. To determine this, you can make use of body mass index (BMI) which is an accurate way of measuring the body fat in children. Whether they are within or have gone over the line, maintenance and a change to a healthier kind of lifestyle is very important.
To prevent obesity, it is important for parents to know what your children are taking inside their body. Aside from that, you have to make sure that they are getting enough exercise to burn the fats and calories. You can make it easier for yourself as a parent by being a good example. Kids see their parents as their first role models and it is a good point to show them that you eat a balanced diet and exercise daily to become fit and strong. One way to make sure that the child is eating the right food is by simplifying the groceries. Avoid adding some junk foods, processed meat, high-fat syrups and sweetened-beverages to your shopping cart. Regarding their daily physical activities, enroll them for a karate lesson and let them join a basketball or a swimming sports team in school.
Discipline and Choices
Lack of discipline and making an unhealthy choice of food can produce one obese child. Because of these two factors, children tend to eat an amount of unhealthy food which is greater than what they need daily. If not burned, these extra calories will add up to their body mass in the form of fats. Even if kids were not introduced at home to these bad treats, they might learn about those once they stepped outside. They might see those being eaten by friends, relatives and other kids at the park.
To prevent them from gaining too much weight and body fat, teach your kids of self-control and train them to only eat healthy foods. Once kids have developed the habit of only eating the right kind of food, they might not like to try tasting or even the sight of unhealthy foods will disgust them. Self-control is also an important factor on avoiding obesity. When your child learns about self-discipline about eating, they can manage their weight by themselves and they can keep this virtue as they grow up. Eliminating impulsivity and unhealthy choices are the exact things that children need so that they won't reach for that extra slice or another bowl of bad treats.
