Childhood Obesity: Should You Be Concerned?

from Shine Newsletter, Spring 2006

Could your child be gaining too much weight? Though it can be a hard issue to acknowledge, doing so may mean improved health and vitality for your child.

The number of overweight children has more than doubled in the past 20 years. Why the staggering number?  The average adult is eating 30 pounds more sugar and 25 pounds more fat than in 1970. This increase in fat and sugar not only affects parents’ health, but also that of their children. 

“Many adults do not have the willpower or the knowledge to make healthy decisions regarding their health and body weight,” says Marilyn Day, MS, registered dietitian at The Children’s Hospital. “Children are faced with similar decisions about food and activity — at home, in school and when they are with friends — and they often have an even harder time making healthy choices.”

A Parent's Role

Because some adult health problems, such as high blood pressure, obesity, arthritis and heart disease have their beginnings in childhood, parents play an important role in influencing their child’s eating and activity habits as well as future health.

Weight gain in a child can be gradual over time, and parents may not notice their child is gaining too much weight. For this reason, regular checkups are important so that your physician can track your child’s weight and height and bring any concerns to light.

“A parent’s job is to help by arranging physical activities for their children and providing a healthy, but not depriving, food environment at home,” Day says. “By being a good role model for healthy living, their children will learn to make better choices.”

Emotional Effects

If your child is overweight, take time to address the mental and emotional effects of the condition as well as the physical aspects of exercise and food choices. Being overweight can hinder your child’s self-esteem, social interactions and learning environment.

“Kids have become victims of a society that has unhealthy habits, and it really affects them emotionally,”  Day says. “My Shapedown participants tell me, ‘I’m heavier than everyone else and I don’t want to be teased,’ or ‘People are afraid of me.’”

How Children's Can Help

Children’s offers weight management programs such as Shapedown that are designed specifically for children and adolescents. Shapedown is the nation’s leading weight program for adolescents and children and uses a family centered approach in a 10-week program. Shapedown members receive counseling about making healthy food choices and participate in an exercise class that includes fun activities such as kickball and other games.

Learn more about ways to help your child with weight loss with the help of the Shapedown Clinic .