Parents can help combat childhood obesity

By Wendy LaRocheOctober 5, 2010

The last two decades have shown a rise in childhood obesity, including children in Army families. As obesity numbers in children continue to climb, so do conditions associated with obesity, for example Type 2 diabetes, asthma, sleep apnea and high cholesterol. Early detection and treatment can reduce the likelihood of these health problems from occurring. Parents need to advocate for their children by asking questions during annual well visit check-ups with their child's healthcare provider and by establishing healthy habits at home.

The most widely used diagnostic tool to identify weight problems within a population is Body Mass Index (BMI). BMI is a statistical measure calculated from a child's weight and height. For children, BMI is age and sex specific and is often referred to as BMI for age. BMI doesn't measure body fat; it identifies healthy body weight based on comparisons between a child's height and weight as plotted on a growth curve.

A child's BMI is typically calculated as part of an annual well-visit physical. After the BMI is calculated for children and teens, the BMI number is plotted on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's BMI-for-age growth charts (for either boys or girls) to obtain a percentile range. The general rule of thumb is that overweight children statistically fall between the 85th and 94th percentile compared to the weight of their peers (same sex and age). Obesity is defined as the 95th percentile or above on the growth chart used.

BMI is one indicator for obesity. Your child's doctor can help identify whether your child's weight is a concern. As a parent you can also help by providing the following information to your child's healthcare provider:

Aca,!Ac Family history of obesity and weight-related health problems, such as diabetes,

Aca,!Ac Your child's eating habits and calorie intake, and

Aca,!Ac Your child's physical activity level.

If your child is overweight or obese, try making small changes to eating habits right away. In the morning, use fat-free or reduced-fat milk in cereal and purchase whole-grain cereals. Add fruit to the morning meal. Consider giving the child oatmeal or whole-grain waffles, and limit items like toaster pastries.

Prepared lunches from home will allow you to have more control over your child's caloric intake. For lunch, consider sandwiches made of whole-wheat or whole-grain breads and try mustard or low-fat mayonnaise as a condiment. Include fruit; it's sweet and can satisfy a sweet tooth! Be creative and use a variety of fresh seasonal fruits. Carrots and celery are great in lunches and can be served with peanut butter, fat-free yogurt or fat-free ranch dressing for dipping. Avoid snacks containing partially hydrogenated oils such as coconut and palm oils. These oils are often used in processed foods such as cookies and crackers. Last, provide a bottle of refreshing water; your child will appreciate it especially in warmer weather.

Think differently about dinner. Engage your children in the cooking process and portion food in a serving dish that would equal a serving size for each family member. Passing the serving dishes around will teach your child to take smaller food portions. Try broiling or baking something you might normally fry. Add lots of any kind of veggies and minimize starches like potatoes or white rice.

When it comes to dessert, offer healthy options like a frozen fruit bar or a yogurt smoothie. Use your blender and whip up some frozen fruit and fruit juice; the combinations are endless. If it is cake your kids crave, angel food cake is a good option and it's fat free.

Exercise is a great family activity. Walks after dinner are a nice way to burn calories. Let children help plan the exercise and physical activity regimen. Get them moving. On warmer days, ride bikes, run, or play tennis or basketball. If the weather is rainy, play indoor games. Check out an exercise or dancing DVD from the library or simply play a favorite CD and have fun making up silly dances.

Help combat childhood obesity by establishing healthy eating habits in your children and encouraging them to be physically active.

Great online resources for parents are:

Aca,!Ac Healthy Youth for a Healthy Future, http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/obesityprevention/index.html

Aca,!Ac Let's Move, http://www.letsmove.gov

Aca,!Ac We Can! (Ways to enhance Children's Activity and Nutrition), http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/obesity/wecan/index.htm

Related Links:

Let's Move

We Can! (Ways to enhance Children's Activity and Nutrition)