| A child who is over weight can find life away | | | | recommended by some diets! Children need the |
| from the family environment very difficult. The | | | | nutrients found in all types of food for growth |
| teasing and name calling can be relentless at | | | | and development. |
| school and can cause the child to suffer a great | | | | Give the child a packed lunch for school, that way |
| amount of anxiety and low self esteem. As | | | | you can control what they eat for lunch. |
| parents, it is our responsibility to ensure that our | | | | 3. As a parent you have to learn how to say NO |
| kids stay as fit and healthy as possible and if a | | | | to your child. Some children will say they are |
| child is overweight we have to act quickly to | | | | hungry all the time and would eat constantly if |
| reverse this growing trend. So how can we | | | | you allow it. Ensure that the child has adequate |
| achieve this? | | | | meals and perhaps a healthy snack say a piece of |
| 1. Take a good look at what the child and indeed | | | | fruit in between but you must stand firm against |
| the whole family eat on a daily basis and answer | | | | the constant moans and groans. |
| these questions TRUTHFULLY.a. How many | | | | 4. Encourage your child to get active. A large |
| takeaways are eaten in a week?b. How many | | | | percentage of children come home from school |
| ready meals or fast food meals were consumed | | | | and sit in front of a computer or games console |
| in a week?c. How much chocolate and sweets are | | | | until bed time. There are lots of clubs and sports |
| consumed in a week?d. How many fizzy drinks | | | | activities run by local authorities or groups which |
| are drank in a week?e. How many home cooked | | | | you should have access to. Even just getting out |
| balanced healthy meals are consumed in a | | | | for a kick about with a football in the park is a |
| week?f. How many portions of fresh fruit and | | | | start. Experts recommend that a child should have |
| vegetables were consumed in a week? | | | | a minimum of 1 hours exercise per day. You can |
| Take the time to write these answers on a piece | | | | build up to this with your child over time. |
| of paper, to enable you to get an overall picture. | | | | 5. Give your child adequate support. Give praise |
| If the results shock you, it is time for action! | | | | for each positive achievement no matter how |
| 2. Make the change in life style a family one, so | | | | small, the child has to develop confidence in |
| that the child does not feel different - clear out | | | | themselves and you can help in this way. |
| the fridge and get rid of any of the offending | | | | Getting a child to lose weight is not always easy |
| items mentioned in the list above. If it is not there | | | | and it may be wise to involve your doctor or |
| it can't be eaten | | | | another health expert for added support and |
| Get back to basics, there are lots of quick, simple | | | | advice. |
| meals which can be prepared from raw | | | | It is important however to tackle this problem |
| ingredients. Try to incorporate lots of fresh fruit | | | | because the long term effects on your child's |
| and vegetables and lean cuts of meat, poultry and | | | | health can be devastating. |
| fish. Do not cut out any of the food groups as | | | | |