From HealthNewsDigest.com

Children's Health
Do’s and Don’ts of Helping Your Child Lose Weight
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Oct 6, 2014 - 5:53:22 PM

(HealthNewsDigest.com) - As the proportion of childhood and adolescent obesity continues to rise at an alarming rate, more and more children are at risk for cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and even some types of cancer. Meanwhile, many parents are at a loss for exactly how to help their children maintain a lifestyle composed of a healthy diet and adequate exercise.

Dr. Christy Turer, a pediatrician at UT Southwestern Medical Center, explored how pediatricians can better support parents with an overweight child, including helping them identify a healthy diet plan, addressing health risks, and developing feasible weight-loss solutions for their child.

"The parents we spoke with said that the type of diet prescribed doesn't matter," said Dr. Turer. "What they want is advice about diets that are low-cost, easy to follow, and include foods that kids like."

To help identify the best weight-loss solutions, Dr. Turer suggests that parents have an open dialogue with their child's pediatrician about risk for weight-related health conditions and any concerns that might affect their weight-management strategies, such as cost or cultural food preferences.

Here are three common mistakes parents should avoid when trying to help their child lose weight:

Don't: Blame yourself, your child, or others for weight challenges - stay positive and focus on what can be done.

Do: Consider whether all parents and caregivers model healthy habits: Do you drink mostly no-calorie drinks instead of coffee drinks, soda, and juice? Do you schedule time for regular exercise? Do you limit eating food prepared outside the home to less than once per week?

Don't: Exclude your child in planning how to improve your whole family's lifestyle.

Do: Engage your child's creativity and sense of independence in planning healthy meals and fun recreational activities.

Don't: Use food as a reward.

Do: Use special one-on-one activities as rewards - our time and love are more precious gifts than food, and have longer-lasting benefits.

 



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