Lifestyle change tips for obese and overweight children.

Childhood obesity is the number 1 health concern with parents in the United States, which now tops drug abuse and smoking. Today approximately one in three kids and teens is overweight, which is nearly three times as many in 1963.

Obesity is causing a wide range of health problems which in the past were not seen until adulthood, including type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, etc. Many overweight children are in depression and have low self esteem.

Excess weight at young ages has been linked to higher and earlier death rates in adulthood. Perhaps one of the most sobering statements regarding the severity of the childhood obesity epidemic came from former Surgeon General Richard Carmona, who characterized the threat as follows:

The Surgeon General characterized this problem saying, “Because of the increasing rates of obesity, unhealthy eating habits and physical inactivity, we may see the first generation that will be less healthy and have a shorter life expectancy than their parents.”

Among American children ages 2–19, the following are overweight or obese, using the 95th percentile or higher of body mass index (BMI) values on the CDC growth chart:

• For non-Hispanic whites, 31.9 percent of males and 29.5 percent of females.
• For non-Hispanic blacks, 30.8 percent of males and 39.2 percent of females.
• For Mexican Americans, 40.8 percent of males and 35.0 percent of females.

Small but permanent changes works the best. It is important that your child reach and maintain appropriate body weight. Here are some things to consider:

• The easiest thing to do is to reduce their calorie intake, although restricting their favorite foods will most likely fail.
• Physical activity is very important in order to be successful in weight loss. Create an environment that will help your child to want to do the activities.
• Parents should model healthy eating and physical activity. This will help to influence their children’s health.

Your main focus for your child should be to prevent weight gain as they grow. In order to maintain weight you should implement physical activity as well as a diet avoiding too many calories. Some factors for success are:

• Parents should be included in the dietary treatment
• Social support is important for dietary intervention
• Regular physical activity prescription including social support

The entire family should be aware of the lifestyle changes. It is important that everyone is involved and supportive in order to ensure the success of your new lifestyle. Remember, this should be a gradual change.

BMI, Body Mass Index, is weight relative to height. This is an indirect way to find out how much body fat you have. In children, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines BMI-for-age at or above the 95th percentile as being overweight.