:: Family Resource Corner ::

Causes of overweight
( Genetic factors )

» Unhealthy eating habits

» Lack of physical activity

Helping your overweight child

» Focus on changing the family’s (not just the child’s) physical activity and eating habits

» Plan family activities that provide everyone with exercise such as swimming, biking, skating, or walking

» Reduce the amount of time your child and your family spends watching TV or playing video games

» Do not place your child on a restrictive diet. Instead, guide your child’s eating choices, eat meals together as a family, avoid using food as a reward or punishment, and encourage your child to eat slowly

Additional help

If efforts at home are unsuccessful, you may want to enlist the help of a dietician or a formal weight-control program

Overweight Children

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of overweight children has tripled since 1980. Currently, almost 1 in 5 children are overweight.

Although overweight children are subjected to bullying, fat jokes, and poor self image, the most important issue that an overweight child faces is health problems.

Health risks

» Hypertension
» Type 2 diabetes
» Heart disease
» Respiratory problems
» Orthopedic problems
» Depression
» A higher incidence rate of becoming an obese adult

Continued on right column »


Health & Nutrition Covers: 1. Breakfast for the Brain 2. Common Childhood Diseases 3. Food Allergies 4. Handwashing 5. Nutrition for kids and teens 6. Overweight Children 7. When your child gets sick 8. Choosing a Pediatrician 9. Vaccinations	Categories Sub-Index » Any number you select from left is listed on right column » Every category you select contains Sub-Topics.	6. Overweight Children » Sub-topics: » None

		The following section covers information on health and nutrition for children. Teaching your child about good hygiene, nutritious meals, and physical activity will help her become healthy and happy. As a parent, you can help protect your child from illness by taking your child for regular checkups, immunizations and by recognizing signs of illness.