What to do for Obese Children and Unhealthy Eating

Health Problems From Unhealthy Eating

A new study suggests eating with overweight friends causes overweight children to eat more. Newsweek published an article this week touting results from a University of Buffalo study that suggests obese children eat more with friends who are overweight than with skinnier friends.

The study drew several conclusions:

• Obese children eat more with obese friends
• Children eat less with children that are not friends
• Overweight children eat more than lean children

The study stresses a relationship between obesity and relationships.

The study was released as Washington lawmakers debate an "obesity epidemic" and a developing stigma against obesity. The study also suggested that average weight children can positively impact their obese counterparts. The study’s coordinator suggests parents allow the healthier child to be a support system. But what the study does not say is how in general parents and friends should support them.

Below are a few tips for parents to support obese children.

Confirm the obesity

Obesity is typically defined at approximately a 10 percent increase over a child’s recommend body-mass index. If the child has a few extra pounds, but doesn’t meet this level, ease up and just focus on promoting exercise. The best way to confirm obesity is through a doctor. Ask the child’s doctor and get suggestions.

Feed them self-esteem

Self-esteem helps children fit in and feel a sense of worth among their peers. Reinforce the child’s self-esteem by stressing their strengths. Applaud their good grades and athletic skills. Show an interest in things they enjoy and build their self-esteem. Positive self-esteem strengthens the child’s willpower and prepares them for success. Self-esteem is the only proven way to create lasting weight loss.

Play around

Join children in their favorite games and stress their successes. Try to get them involved in outdoor activities and athletics at an early age, before videogames and TV set in. Teach them new outdoor skills (biking, kayaking, canoeing, fishing, camping, soccer) to build self-esteem.

Make exercise a family activity

When parents and children team to exercise, the added moral support strengthens the family and adds emotional incentive for the children to exercise. Remember to ease up and let them ease into the exercise. When family exercise time replaces  TV hour, it creates energy throughout the house. Studies show continuous exercise promotes health even better than a diet.

Stress health eating habits

Health eating habits do not mean restrictions to only vegetables and non-fat meals. Healthy eating habits stress portion control, no binging and eating only when hungry. Limit eating out of boredom. When a child eats out of boredom, they tend to eat junk food. As a result, replace the "boredom" with an activity to keep their mind off boredom and eating. Additionally, let them know exercise can be a better way to cope with stress than eating.

Talk to your kids

More than anything else children need to be listened to. They need to be asked questions and heard. When this happens, t he parents tap into their child’s thoughts. Understanding how they feel about their weight is key to supporting them. The weight loss may be more a symptom of depression, low self-esteem or illness.

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