Children’s diet, avoid the overweight

Never think that a child with overweight is simply "full". Obese children tend to become obese adults, and most have high levels of blood fat and high blood pressure at an early age. Children are especially vulnerable to obesity during the first 6 months of life and early adolescence, from 11 to 15 years.

When children eat too much at these stages, the calories the body does not use are used to form new fat cells. Once created, the number of fat cells remains unchanged for life, making it extremely difficult to lose weight. Therefore, in the next periods, you should pay attention to children's eating habits and activity level.

The early introduction of solids and concentrated formulas is considered as a cause of obesity in infants.
During puberty, there are radical changes in body composition and emotions that create a need for comfort and distraction usually found in the food. There are also psychological problems: plump children tend to have low self-esteem and mild depression. They suffer when are disturbed by other children, and this just makes seeking more comfort in food.

Is it appropriate to put a child on a diet?

When children are growing, they need daily enough protein, vitamins, calcium and other essential nutrients. You shouldn’t put a child with overweight children on a strict diet to lose weight quickly. It is more convenient to supply a pattern suitable for every day.

This allows them to retain their weight for a period of 6-12 months, while their height increases to reach the ideal weight for their height.

The infant's diet

The best thing is that the whole family eats the same foods. The dishes low in fat and rich in fiber are good for everyone, not just for those who want to lose weight. It is convenient to make food attractive to tempt a child to eat new foods.

You can have cereal or oatmeal for breakfast and then toast with peanut butter or cheese.
It is convenient to prepare a lunch that is well balanced, which may contain a sandwich or a pie and meat, chicken or tuna with salad. A fruit or fruit yogurt low in fat completes the meal.
Dinner should contain moderate amounts of the dinner of the whole family, including cooked or raw vegetables.

Between meals

Snacks are part of the eating patterns of children, because they have smaller stomachs.
Try to make the cravings nutritious, a piece of cheese with crackers, bread with peanut butter, a piece of fruit, a cup of popcorn.

Avoid childhood obesity

Prevent overweight, is much easier than curing it.

• Try to avoid making the food as a reward for good behavior.
• Put the good example, and keep junk food as something casual, just for special occasions.
• Encourage exercise and outdoor games instead of passing idle hours watching television.
• Common diseases in children may make parents think they need to eat more to be healthy; however, all we can get is a weight problem.
• Insecurity and emotional problems are often due to overeating. Perceiving parental rejection, rivalry, moving to a new home or school and feeling abandoned or unhappy are stimuli for an anxious child with overweight.

About the author