Index
What used to be a sign of a healthy and “tasty” baby today is an alarm for concerned dads. Plump and plump babies and children is far from being a sign of health! The statistics that account for the number of obese children in Brazil and around the world have been increasing at an alarming rate.
And what many do not understand is that an obese child not only has an aesthetic problem but can suffer from serious health problems caused by obesity such as hypertension and altered cholesterol levels . Obesity can cause very serious damage and affect the child’s quality of life, as well as accompanying it until adulthood . But why have the statistics that account for the number of obese children in Brazil and in the world increase so much? And the answer is easy and clear! We just stop to analyze the routine and daily life of families around the world, the daily habits of each of them and check what they consume.
The body of children and adults is the result and mirror of their routine and what they live, especially what they eat. In the past, families’ routines were very different from what we experience today, where mothers stayed at home taking care of 100% of the lives and routine of their children and husband, following rules mainly feeding times. Healthy and complete meals were prepared for everyone to sit at the table and eat properly so it was not so common to see obese children. This routine was replaced by the rush of super busy mothers and increasingly poor and fast food , which contains large numbers of fats, sodium and zero vitamins.
An obese child is also a reflection not only of poor diet but of a sedentary life where children’s play has been neglected and the modern life of online games, television and the internet has taken up all their time which should be as productive and enjoyable as it is of an active child’s life. Technology is a great advance for humanity, but if not used as a precaution, especially in childhood, it becomes a dangerous weapon that results in an overweight and sedentary child.
Childhood Obesity Treatment
There is no treatment for childhood obesity that will make a miracle overnight, everything will be a matter of changes in the child’s general routine including their schedules. Teaching your child to have correct eating habits and start an active life will make all the difference. The good examples at home is the fundamental step for any change not only in the life of the obese child but of the whole family who almost always suffer from weight problems as well. Cutting out everything that is bad and helps you gain weight is essential, so start with soft drinks and sweets, cutting from your food menu.
Upon arriving inside a supermarket we are faced with an infinite amount of treats and delights that fill the child’s eyes and mouth and of course we adults too, but the question is: is it good for health? How much calorie is in that delicious little colorful package? To start treatment for childhood obesity, focus, a lot of determination and above all a lot of patience are needed to deal with the crybaby when saying no to the little one. Given away? Of course it does, but thinking that it is for your child’s good and you will be saying no now to prevent him from becoming an obese child, from future diseases and more serious problems makes it worthwhile.
Select colorful and healthy foods that attract the eyes and taste of children. For those who have difficulty in eating this type of food, vary recipes and include in the production of dishes that he eats , for example, cooked together with beans or meat, or well grated in the middle of another food that the child already eats well. Fruits and natural juices are great options for afternoon snacks and breakfast for the little ones and can replace chocolate and calorie cereals perfectly.
Scratch off the purchase of the market, mainly filled cookies, chocolates of all shapes, soft drinks, snacks and artificial juices and escape from fast foods in general that offer fast food, but zero healthy food. Changing your children’s eating habits will not be easy, but it will be an action that will bear good fruit in the long run. Being accompanied by a nutritionist and a trusted pediatrician can be a great help as adequate food, as well as portions and schedules will be passed. Suggestions of exercises and children’s sports and what should and should not be done is also informed.
It is easy for parents and family to notice signs that the child’s weight is not adequate, it is difficult to accept that something needs to be done !! And the best way will always be to treat before losing control and seeing the child suffering and believe the later the treatment starts the more difficult it will be to change habits, so throw the “do” in the trash, roll up your sleeves and offer a healthy life for your son. Many parents believe that loving means giving everything the little ones desire and that includes food and childhood obesity is there to prove that this is not true !!! Good habits provide a healthy life for children and for their whole family and in a child’s life always place first, play, play and play !!
See also: BMI for Children – Alert for Moms
My name is Dr. Alexis Hart I am 38 years old, I am the mother of 3 beautiful children! Different ages, different phases 16 years, 12 years and 7 years. In love with motherhood since always, I found it difficult to make my dreams come true, and also some more after I was already a mother.
Since I imagined myself as a mother, in my thoughts everything seemed to be much easier and simpler than it really was, I expected to get pregnant as soon as I wished, but it wasn’t that simple. The first pregnancy was smooth, but my daughter’s birth was very troubled. Joana was born in 2002 with a weight of 2930kg and 45cm, from a very peaceful cesarean delivery but she had already been born with congenital pneumonia due to a broken bag not treated with antibiotics even before delivery.
