As a parent, or as a child's caregiver, you can do many
things to help the child reach a healthy weight and maintain it. Exercising and
eating healthy foods and drinks are important for children's health. You can
play an important role in helping your child and the whole family has habits
that can improve health.
How can I know if my child is overweight?
It is not always easy to realize that a child is overweight.
In addition, the amount of body fat in a boy changes with age and is different
between girls and boys.
One way to know if your child is overweight is to calculate
his body mass index (IMC, or BMI). The BMI calculator uses a formula that gives
a result that is often used to find out if a person weighs less than normal,
has a healthy weight or is overweight or obese. Children's BMI is age and
sex-specific, and is known as the "BMI by age."
Healthy weight: 5th to 84th percentile
Overweight: 85 to 94 percentile
Obesity: 95th percentile or higher
Why should I worry?
You should worry if your child is overweight because this
may increase the chance of your child having health problems now or later in
life.
In the short term, for example, you may have breathing
problems or joint pain, so it may be difficult for you to keep up with your
friends. Some children may have health problems, such as type 2 diabetes, high
blood pressure, and high cholesterol. Some children may also be teased or
intimidated, or have depression. Or low
self-esteem.
Children who are overweight are at greater risk of reaching
adulthood with excess weight. The chances of getting health problems, such as
heart disease and certain types of cancer, are higher in adults who are
overweight.
BMI is a screening tool, but it does not directly measure
body fat or the child's risk of having health problems. If you are concerned
about your child's weight, talk to your child's doctor or other health
professional. Ask to have your child's general health and growth checked over
the years and be told if you need to control your child's weight. Although many
children who are still growing in height do not need to lose weight, they may
need to decrease the amount of weight they gain while they continue to grow. Do
not put your child on a diet to lose weight unless instructed by the doctor.
How can I help my child have healthy habits?
You can play an important role in helping your child form
healthy eating and drinking habits, physical activity and sleep. For example,
teach your child to have a balance between. Take your child to buy at the
market and let him choose healthy foods and drinks. Let him help plan and
prepare healthy meals and snacks. The 2015 United States Food Guidelines (in
English) they explain the types of food and beverages that should be included
in a healthy eating plan.
Here are other ways to help your child have healthy habits:
Be a good role model. Eat healthy foods and drinks and
choose active hobbies. Children learn fast and often imitate what they see.
Talk with your child about what it means to be healthy and
how to make healthy choices.
Talk about how physical activity and certain foods and
drinks can help your body be strong and stay healthy.
Children should have at least one hour of physical activity
every day and should limit their time in front of a screen other than for
school work no more than 2 hours a day. This includes in front of the computer,
television and mobile devices.
Talk about how to make healthy choices about food, drinks,
and activities at school, when they are in a friend's house, and in other
places outside the home.
Encourage the whole family to form healthy eating habits,
drinks, and physical activity. Thus, everyone benefits and your child will not
feel different because he is overweight.
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