How to Help Your Kids Avoid the Dangers of Obesity

Childhood obesity is a growing problem. In fact, the numbers are startling! According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 19% of grade school aged children are considered obese. More than 17% of teens meet the criteria for obesity. Even more kids are considered to be overweight.

How do you know if your child is obese? A BMI that falls in the 95th percentile for age is classified as obese. A BMI greater than 30, no matter what the percentile, is also considered obese. The term "overweight" is applied to those kids with BMIs between the 85th and 95th percentile.

Obesity in childhood is associated with poor self-esteem and social stigma. In addition, obesity-related health problems can be seen even at a young age.

Overweight children and teens are more likely to have:

High blood pressure
High cholesterol
Type 2 diabetes (formerly called adult onset)
Sleep apnea
Asthma
Fatty liver
What's more, they are likely to face a lifetime of obesity and poor health. What can you do if your child is overweight?

It's vitally important to help your child develop a healthy lifestyle... and the earlier in life, the better. This includes good nutrition as well as regular activity to promote fitness. You can help your child develop a set of tools he can use as he grows to adulthood and beyond.

Here are some suggestions:

You are an important ingredient in your child's success. It's important that you get involved and take charge... before it's too late.

Ban sugary drinks in your household. Promote water as the drink of choice.

Limit television watching. Long periods of inactivity in front of the TV set are linked to obesity.

Promote participation in sports and other forms of exercise, with an emphasis on fun rather than competition.

Make sure your child doesn't skip breakfast.

Ditch the junk food, especially those made with high fructose corn syrup or trans fats. Instead, provide healthy meals and snacks, emphasizing fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds, whole grains, and low fat dairy.

Avoid shaming your child or damaging his or her self-esteem. You don't want to turn the battle of the bulge into a contest of wills between you and your child. Instead, provide encouragement and positive feedback.

Set a good example for your children. If they see you eating healthy food, monitoring your weight, and participating in active fun, they will be more likely to model your behavior.

Consider a weight loss behavioral management program. You can discuss this option with your child's physician. An online weight loss program designed just for kids is the award-winning TrimKids, available through eDiets.com. This excellent program is highly recommended for concerned parents of overweight kids ages 6 - 19.

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