Parents play the biggest role in prevention of child obesity by teaching children to recognize when they are full, limiting their TV viewing and feeding them a healthy nutritious diet.
Prevention of child obesity is easier than treatment.
A child can modify behavior patterns more rapidly and easily than an adult.
Treatment plans for child obesity are therefore a good idea. Treatment of child obesity rarely has weight loss as a goal. The aim in treating child obesity is to slow down the rate of weight gain and gradually bring the child to his or her ideal weight.
Increase in physical activity is the first and foremost step towards treating obesity in a child. An addition of only 1000 steps per day to a child’s activity routine contributes significantly in reduction of body weight. Physical activity also reduces the chances of health related problems.
The other obvious thing to do to treat child obesity is to reduce calorific intake of the child. Children should not be subject to fasting or extreme calorie reduction. A well balanced diet with less fat content is the best diet for an obese child.
Child obesity often also called childhood obesity is the phenomenon of obesity in children and young adults.
Child obesity is also contributing to diseases like cardiac problems and Type 2 diabetes in children. It has effect on the future health of the population as most obese children are likely to grow up into obese adults.
Obesity can hamper participation in physical activities in school. It can also make it hard to keep up with friends or to simply play in the neighborhood playground.
Early intervention for treatment of obesity in a child is important.
In treatment of child obesity it helps to involve children in their treatment. Children should be encouraged to ask questions. Simple words can be used to explain why they need to follow a diet plan and increase physical movement.