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Do you have questions about your child's growth pattern? Is he growing
normally? Is he too fat, too thin, too short, or too tall? Is he eating
enough to grow properly?
We will be addressing some of these issues on this page. We will add
new information on a regular basis. If you have questions on this topic
send them to us and we will consider them for our Ask the Doctor
page. Contact us if you would like to be notified
when we add new content.
Obesity
Obesity is a frequent nutritional disease of children in the United States
and other developed countries. Experts estimate that the incidence of
childhood obesity had increased dramatically in the last twenty years.
Healthy eating habits can be established during the preschool years so
you have a great opportunity to get your child off to a good start.
What causes children to be overweight? Obesity is caused by a combination
of genetic and environmental factors. Some have estimated that it is 5-25%
genetics, and 75-95% environment. So, while there is a genetic influence
that cannot be changed, the more important factor is environmental and
can be modified. One of the major environmental factors is inactivity,
especially related to too much time spent watching television and snacking
rather than participating in active play. Dietary factors such as an excessive
fat intake and inadequate fiber intake are important as well. Hormone
imbalances and other health problems are actually quite unusual as a cause
for childhood obesity.
The first step to take if you are worried about your child's weight
is to have him or her accurately weighed and measured by your pediatrician.
If he has not had a recent physical exam that is also a good idea. Plotting
his weight on a standardized growth chart can show you how he compares
with other children his age and whether his weight is appropriate for
his height. Sometimes calipers are used to measure skinfold thickness
if there is doubt about whether a child who weighs more than average is
just more muscular than other children. If your child is overweight take
a good look at his diet and activity level to see if there are some changes
that could be made. If you are unsure about how to approach this ask your
doctor for advice or for a referral to a pediatric nutrition specialist.
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Nutrition for a Fit Body
- Don't start your infant on solids until after 4 months of age.
- Start weaning from breast or bottle at 12 months of age.
- Don't allow a toddler to carry around a cup or bottle of juice
or milk.
- Limit juice intake to 4 ounces a day for preschool children. Infants
don't need any juice.
- Don't give a child under two a low fat diet as he needs some
fat for normal brain development.
- Start with unsugared cereals and whole grain bread and cereal products
from the beginning so your child develops a taste for them.
- Reserve sugared cereals for a few special times such as a birthday
or holiday treat.
- After age two use lowfat or nonfat dairy products.
- Offer fruits and vegetables as snacks.
- Offer only the foods you want your child to eat. Don't purchase
'junk food' on a regular basis.
- Limit trips to fast food restaurants.
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Healthy Eating Attitudes
- Feed your baby for hunger and not comfort.
- Trust your child's appetite and don't press her to eat when
she is ready to stop. Even infants can determine when they have had
enough.
- If you have been using food as a reward try to use special activities,
praise and time with parents instead.
- Don't use food as a way to keep a child entertained or quiet,
provide toys instead.
- Drop out of the 'clean plate club'.
- Try to have a balanced approach to eating. Don't totally prohibit
an occasional treat.
- Establish regular meal times and snack times and don't permit
constant snacking.
- Be a good role model for healthy eating.
- If you are concerned about your weight avoid discussing this around
your child.
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Fitness Activities
- Children of physically active parents are six times more likely to
be active than if parents are inactive. So by improving your fitness
you also help your child!
- Play lively music or an excercise video and your preschooler will
be ready to join in with you.
- Preschoolers like to take walks in all kinds of weather. Investigate
the falling leaves in autumn, watch for the first spring flowers, catch
snowflakes in winter. The fresh air and exercise will help you too!
- Children love playing in dirt. If you have gardening to do, let her
help. True, you won't get as much done but maybe it will pay off
when she's a teenager and the garden needs weeding!
- Limit television watching to no more than one or two hours a day.
- Provide play equipment such as tricycles, wagons, climbing toys when
possible.
- If you have limited space make regular visits to parks or indoor play
areas.
- Don't carry a child who is able to walk.
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