Obesity is becoming an increasing concern in many households in America, with more children treading on the fine line between normal weight and obesity daily.And in certain rare cases where the condition can be caused by a hereditary gene or medical disorder, obesity in children is mostly attributed to improper diets and unhealthy eating habits. If that is the case with your kid as well, then here are some effective tips that can help stop him/her from becoming obese.
Limit the Number of Servings
The more you serve your child, the more he/she will eat. And the more habituated he/she would become to eating more during every meal. Start controlling his/her eating habits by serving less portions per every meal. This way, you can have a clear eye on how much he/she has eaten, and can opt for another serving if he/she has eaten less, or refrain from doing so if he/she has eaten well.
Opt for Healthier Snacks
Keep your kids away from the unhealthy junk foods while prompting them to choose between healthier alternatives like fresh vegetables and fruits. Draw a long list of healthy food choices your kid can have, and ask him/her to choose what he/she wants to eat instead of trying to force down your choice of food on him/her.
Set an Example
Your kid would definitely not want to eat healthy foods if he/she sees you gorging on unhealthy snacks all the time. So set an example for the kids first before by avoiding all kinds of unhealthy foods and snacks yourself. If you start making healthy food choices, your kid would follow suit, and with time, would learn to opt for healthy foods himself/herself.
Increase Fiber Intake
In addition to aiding in digestion (prevents the storage of excess fat in the body), fiber would make sure that eating only a small portion of foods that contain this nutrient would make your stomach (and your kid’s stomach) full. So opt for foods that contain plenty of fiber like whole grains, refined flours, cereal, cookies, pastas and crackers.
Start Exercising
The body needs at least a little bit of exercise on a regular basis to remain fit and toned. Set aside 30 minutes each day for an exercise program that would enable you to teach your kid a few basic exercises he/she can perform in order to lose excess weight (or) maintain a healthy weight. If possible, get in on the fun as your kid would then be more motivated to exercise regularly.